Bethany, Okla. -- The Mid-America Christian Evangels won their second straight to begin the season by rolling to an 83-62 victory over the Bethany College (Kan.) Swedes on the final day of the Southwestern Christian Basketball Classic Saturday afternoon (Nov. 5) in Bethany, Okla.
Much like yesterday, the Evangels got off to a quick start by scoring the first eight points of the contest.
After the Swedes fought back to 11-9, the Evangels went on a 10-2 spurt, fueled by seven points from
George Haynes for a double-digit lead of 21-11 at the 9:28 mark of the first half.
The Evangels extended the lead to as high as 20 in the opening half before settling for a 43-24 advantage at the break.
MACU maintained control throughout the second half, leading by at least 17 and by as many as 31 at 72-41 with 9:16 remaining.
Haynes paced the Evangels with a career-high of 22 points and also shot a career-best 10-of-10 from the field. Haynes was also one of three Evangels with seven rebounds.
Trey Beachum was the lone Swede to reach double-digit scoring with 17 points.
The Evangels (2-0) used a stifling defensive effort to jump on top, holding the Swedes to only an 18.8 percent (6-of-32) shooting clip in the first half. MACU also had a 54-42 edge on the glass.
Next up for the Evangels will be an exhibition at the defending NCAA D-II Central Regional champions Midwestern State Mustangs on Friday night (Nov. 11) at 7 p.m. in Wichita Falls, Texas.
