Russellville, Ark. -- For the second straight game the Mid-America Christian University Evangels fought hard and had a chance to win at an NCAA D-II opponent, but fell just short tonight (Dec. 19) 78-73 in an exhibition game at the Arkansas Tech University Wonder Boys in Russellville, Ark. The Evangels also had a chance to win Monday night (Dec. 17) at Midwestern State University, but were tripped up 81-73.
With the Evangels ahead by 1 after a trey by Charlie Shorter made it 43-42, the Wonder Boys used a 13-1 run to take a double-digit lead of 55-44 with 11:26 remaining in the second half.
MACU wouldn't go away though and scored the next seven points to come within four with 9:47 left.
Trailing by eight at the 7:48 mark, the Evangels (4-4) again made a run by scoring six straight to make it a two-point game at 63-61.
The Evangels eventually got within a single point after Josh Smith scored to cut the lead to 71-70 with 56 seconds left.
But that's as close asthey could get as a three by Jared Williamson stretched the advantage back to two possessions and the Wonders Boys sank four straight free throws to hold off MACU.
The Evangels led by as many as 10 in the first half at 20-10 and 22-12, but the Wonder Boys (5-4) fought back with a 16-3 spurt to lead 28-25 with 4:25 left in the opening half.
Shorter then hit a three at the 1:04 mark to cap a 9-4 spurt to close out the period and put the Evangels in front 35-34 at the break.
Shorter led all scorers with 29 points along with six rebounds. Angelo Lewis and Josh Minner each had seven rebounds to lead the Evangels, while Camilo Valencia had team-highs of four assists and four steals.
Williamson and Marshawn Arnold each scored 16 to lead four Wonder Boys in double-figures. Willie Kirkland and Will Paul each added 12 points, with Paul recording a double-double with 10 boards. Charles Mells led the Wonder Boys' interior attack with a game-high 14 rebounds and four blocks.
The Evangels will now take time off for Christmas and then host Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
