Baldwin City, Kan. -- The No. 14-ranked Southwestern (Kan.) Lady Builders (NAIA D-II) overcame a furious comeback from the Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels to win 72-69 in both squads season opener Friday evening (Nov. 1) in the first night of the Baker Classic in Baldwin City, Kan. 

After wiping out a 19-point first half deficit, the Lady Evangels fought back to take the lead in the second half and still trailed only 64-63 after a pair of Tierra Brown free throws with 4:30 left. 

But consecutive buckets by Zefiryn Bryan helped the Lady Builders stretch the lead back to 70-64 with 1:56 left. 

The Lady Evangels weren't through as Ashlee Ferguson drilled a three to make it a one-possession game at the 1:03 point and MACU got it back with a chance a tie, but a turnover gave the ball to SWC with 25 seconds left. 

Jessica Hobbs then made two at the charity stripe to seal the win for the Lady Builders. 

The Lady Evangels fell into an early hole of 24-5 eight minutes into the contest.  However, MACU charged back with 10 straight points and came within eight on a three by Ferguson that made it 26-18. 

MACU got as close as five before the Lady Builders took a 36-29 lead into the break. 

The Lady Evangels came out strong in the second half as buckets by Kelsie Dutton, Lauren McKinney and Ferguson made it a one-point game at 36-35. 

Following a basket by Montana Rickey, Ferguson made two free throws and a three by April Williams gave the Lady Evangels their first lead of the game at the 16:27 mark of the second half. 

Ferguson led the Lady Evangels with 18 points along with a team-high four assists, with McKinney posting a double-double of 17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. 

Trinicia Shaffer was the lone Lady Builder in double-figures with 18 points, but SWC had three players score eight points. 

The Lady Evangels will wrap up play at the Baker Classic tomorrow afternoon (Nov. 2) against Tabor College at 1 p.m.