Lindsborg, Kan. -- Erica Jones scored a career-high 22 points to power the Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels to a season-opening 71-65 victory over the Bethany College Swedes Tuesday evening (Oct. 30) in Lindsborg, Kan. 

The Lady Evangels (1-0) trailed 22-21 with 5:10 left in the opening half, but took command by closing out the half on a 15-3 run to go up 36-25 at the break.  Jones and Sabrina McKinney combined for eight points to fuel the surge. 

Bethany refused to go quietly though as a layup by Tanya Garner capped an 11-0 run that pulled the Swedes even at 51-51 with 7:51 remaining in the second half. 

A bucket by Tierra Brown and a three from Jones gave the Lady Evangels the lead for good, but the Swedes continued to make things interesting. 

Brittany Green converted a three-point play that brought the Swedes to within one before a pair of free throws by Sarah Martin extended the lead back to 58-55. 

The Swedes (1-1) came within two on three more occasions, but the Lady Evangels finally pulled away by hitting four of their six free-throw attempts over the final 30 seconds of the second half.

Jones' 22 points came on 8-of-16 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point distance.  Martin scored 12 points and McKinney added 11 and dished out a team-high four assists.  Williams finished with 10 points and tied McKinney for team-high honors with seven rebounds. 

Nicole Felker led the Swedes with 15 points, while Kendra Austin had 13 along with six rebounds.

The Lady Evangels will host Central Christian College of the Bible out of Moberly, Mo. in their home opener Friday evening (Nov. 2) at 6 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center.