Wichita Falls, Texas -- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels gave the NCAA D-II No. 12-ranked Midwestern State University Mustangs everything it could handle before coming up just short in an 85-79 exhibition loss that kicked off the 2013-14 season Wednesday evening (Oct. 30) in Wichita Falls, Texas. 

The Evangels trailed by only two with 1:30 remaining and forced a turnover that gave them a chance to tie, but a missed three-point attempt led to a jumper by Monzaigo Williams that stretched the lead back to two possessions. 

Following another miss from three-point range, Williams iced it by hitting two free throws with 13 seconds left. 

MACU led by as many as six in the first half and trailed 39-33 at the break when Cam Adderley nailed a three with four seconds remaining. 

The Mustangs then came out strong out of the locker room and threatened to pull away by outscoring the Evangels 12-4 during the first four minutes of the second half. 

But the Evangels refused to go quietly as a three-point play by Semar Farris and a dunk by Reggie Davis capped a 16-6 sput that trimmed the deficit to 57-53 at the 10:53 mark. 

The Evangels came as close as two before the Mustangs again pulled out to a double-figure lead of 70-60 with an 8-2 run. 

A three-point play by Lewis though triggered seven straight points by the Evangels that made it a three-point game with 5:09 remaining.

Farris led the Evangels with 15 points, followed by Lewis with 14. Luke Mergerson scored 12, while Davis and Stephen Armstrong each scoed 11.  Armstrong also had a team-high seven rebounds. 

Williams paced the Mustangs with game-high totals of 19 points and five assists.  Eddie D'Haiti had 11 points and tied for game-high honors with Adderley with eight boards. 

The Evangels were out-rebounded 45-39 overall but held a 15-14 edge on the offensive glass.  MACU shot 41.5 percent (27-of-65) from the floor, while the Mustangs warmed up to a 51.7 percent (15-of-29) clip in the second half to wind up at 46.9 percent (30-of-64) overall.  

Next up is another exhibition at home against NCAA D-II Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday night (Nov. 2) at 7 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center.  It will also be Alumni Night, with festivities going on throughout the day, including an Alumni basketball game at 4 p.m.