Edmond, Okla. -- After squandering a 15-point second half lead, the Mid-America Christian University Evangels came back and held on for a hard-fought 87-84 victory over the NCAA D-II Central Oklahoma University Bronchos in an exhibition contest for the Evangels Tuesday night (Nov. 20) in Edmond, Okla.

MACU led 76-61 after a layup from Angelo Lewis capped a 6-0 spurt with 8:01 remaining. 

The Bronchos then charged back as 15 points from Spencer Smith fueled a 23-5 run that put UCO in front 84-81 at the 2:01 mark. 

MACU had an answer as a layup from Camilo Valencia cut the deficit to one and then after a stop on the defensive end, Charlie Shorter stepped to the line and knocked down a pair of clutch free throws that put the Evangels back on top 85-84 with 23 seconds remaining. 

The Evangels then got the biggest defensive stop of the game as Josh Smith blocked Josh Gibbs' potential go-ahead layup and then secured the rebound. 

After Smith hit two free throws that made it a three-point game, Jamell Cormier's three point shot was off the mark as time expired. 

The Evangels trailed 23-21 in the first half when Shorter and Jarius Wilson combined for 10 points to spark a 12-3 spurt that put MACU in front 33-26. 

UCO battled back to within 39-38 in the final minute of the half, but a layup from Josh  Minner and a three by Shorter in the final seconds put the Evangels ahead 44-38 at the break. 

Shorter led all scorers with 27 points and Minner and Wilson each added 15.  Minner also had team-highs of eight rebounds and five assists. 

Smith paced the Bronchos with 22 points, while June Carter had 20 points and a game-high 10 boards.  Smith and Carter combined to shoot 17-of-23 from the floor for UCO. 

The Evangels shot a blistering 56 percent (31-of-55) from the field and 55 percent (6-of-11) from three-point distance.  UCO was 46 percent (30-of-65) from the floor but was limited to only 22 percent (5-of-23) from beyond the arc. 

MACU will next be in action at the Southwestern Christian University Tournament on Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in Bethany, Okla.