Chickasha, Okla. -- The USAO Drovers jumped out to a big lead in the first half and held on for a 75-67 win over the Mid-America Christian Evangels in the regular season finale Saturday night (Feb. 26) in Chickasha, Okla. 

With the loss, the Evangels finish the conference season in ninth place, one game behind Oklahoma City at 9-13 and will fall just short of advancing to the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament. 

The Drovers dominated the first half, racing out to a 25-point lead before settling for a 42-24 cushion at the half. 

The deficit was 46-27 when the Evangels got back into it as seniors John Shodipo and Donell Lewis combined for nine points of a 13-0 spurt that cut the lead to six at the 14:24 mark of the second half. 

After a trey by Sahlih Butts and two free throws from Trell Porter stretched the lead back to 11, consecutive layups by Brandon Williams and a layup by Nathan Pratt brought the Evangels to within five at 55-50 with 7:25 remaining. 

A three-point play by Cameron Langster brought the Evangels (13-15, 9-13 SAC) as close as four at 57-53 with 5:50 left. 

However, a three by Butts and a trey by Phillip Harris fueled an 8-2 spurt that pushed the lead back into double-figures at the 1:28 mark. 

A pair of treys by Williams helped the Evangels close to within six with 49 seconds left, but six free throws by the Drovers down the stretch closed it out. 

Williams had team-highs of 19 points and seven rebounds for the Evangels, while George Haynes also reached double-digit scoring with 11 points and shot 7-of-10 from the charity stripe. Lewis added 10 points. 

Butts led everybody with 24 points and 11 boards and Porter added 13 points and nine boards.  Harris and Thomas Peters each chipped in with 11. 

The Evangels shot 32.2 percent (22-of-68) for the game, but were hurt by only an 18.8 percent (6-of-32) shooting clip in the opening stanza. 

The Drovers (11-17, 7-15 SAC) meanwhile shot a blazing 53.8 percent (14-of-26) in the first half but cooled down to a 28 percent (7-of-25) clip in the second. 

MACU was out-rebounded 48-46 overall but held a 24-14 edge on the offensive glass. 

The Evangels are now set to host the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Central Regional Tournament, scheduled for Mar. 9-12 at the Gaulke Activity Center.  Game times and opponents are yet to be determined.