The Lowdown: Mid-America Christian University @ Bacone College
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Muskogee, Okla.
Live Stats:
http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
The Dish on the Evangels: The Mid-America Christian University Evangels stayed perfect at 3-0 with a 97-84 victory over the University of the Southwest (N.M.) Mustangs Tuesday evening (Nov. 12) inside the Gaulke Activity Center. MACU broke open a tight game early in the second half as two threes by Jarius Wilson and five points from Angelo Lewis sparked a 12-2 spurt that made it 67-52 with 13:34 remaining.
The Mustangs (1-4) scored six straight points to creep back within single-digits, but a dunk by Josh Minner started a 6-2 run that stretched the lead back to 14 at 75-61 at the 9:06 mark.
The Evangels cruised from there, maintaining at least an 11 point edge the rest of the way.
Semar Farris led five Evangels in double-figures with a game-high 24 points on 10-of-14 from the field. Jarius Wilson scored 19, while Angelo Lewis flirted with a quadruple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Josh Minner scored 12 and Reggie Davis added 11.
Jarius Wilson leads the Evangels with 24.0 ppg, followed by Semar Farris at 18.0 ppg and Angelo Lewis at 17.3 ppg. Josh Minner is also scoring in double-figures with 10.3 ppg. Farris has distributed a team-high 19 assists and Luke Mergerson leads MACU with 6.3 rpg.
The Dish on the Warriors: The Bacone College Warriors enter tonight's contest still looking for their first win after four straight losses, including a 111-73 loss at the hands of MACU back on Nov. 5. The Warriors have also lost twice to Sooner Athletic Conference member Southwestern Christian University, with the last setback coming 108-105 at home on Nov. 8.
Derrick Thomas leads four Warriors in double-figures with 16.5 ppg. Christian Smith is averaging a double-double of 12.7 ppg and a team-high 12.3 rpg. Geo Brewer is scoring 15.5 ppg and Creed Flowers has chipped in with 13.8 ppg.
The Coaches:
Willie Holley is in his 41st season as head coach at Mid-America Christian University and his 772 career victories rank first in school history and second all-time in the NAIA.
Holley helped the Evangels become competitive in a short period of time in the Sooner Athletic Conference and broke through last season. Holley guided the Evangels to their highest-ever finish of third in the SAC with a 9-7 league record. MACU made their first appearance in the NAIA Top 25 in school history, coming in as high as tied for 23rd. The Evangels went on to capture their 20th NCCAA Central Regional Championship and finished fifth at the NCCAA National Tournament.
The 2012-13 season also featured guard Charlie Shorter, who was named SAC Player of the Year, NCCAA National Player of the Year and was a first-team NAIA All-America selection. It's the third straight season Holley has coached an NAIA All-American, as Shorter and Brandon Williams were Honorable-Mention selections in 2011-12 and 2010-11, respectively.
Holley's coaching style is to establish in his players a "no quit" attitude. This style led to an improbable NCCAA National Championship in 2007. The title was the fourth of Holley's illustrious career as he previously won the championship in 1998, 2003, and 2004. This year the plan is to take that same attitude and improve on last season's effort.
During his time at Mid-America, Holley has become a fixture in the athletic program, as he served as Athletic Director from 1973-2012. In 1997, Holley was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame, and he has been named the NCCAA Division II Coach of the Year four times - 1985, 1995, 2000 and 2004. Holley has also coached 17 All- Americans and won numerous conference and regional championships.
Holley earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from University of Louisiana - Monroe in 1970. He and his wife, Janet, have three daughters: Angela, Jessica and Stacey.
Alan Foster is in his 14th season leading the Bacone College Warriors and has amassed 257 career victories during his tenure.
Up Next: The Evangels will be at NCAA II Arkansas Tech University for an early tip on Saturday morning (Nov. 16) at 10:30 a.m. in Russellville, Ark.
