OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels got a double-double of 15 points and 12 assists from Semar Farris and cruised to their third straight victory, a 93-73 win over the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Drovers in a Sooner Athletic Conference matchup Saturday afternoon (Dec. 7) inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
Reggie Davis nailed a three and Angelo Lewis made two free throws to cap a 19-4 run that allowed the Evangels to take control with a 31-14 lead at the 8:05 mark of the opening half.
USAO came back as five straight points from Tyler Reynolds sparked a 12-2 spurt that trimmed the lead to 33-26 with 4:34 left in the first half.
It was a nine-point edge when Luke Mergerson and Stephen Armstrong combined for all nine points of a 9-3 run over the final two minutes of the half to give the Evangels a 47-32 lead at the break.
After the Evangels (6-1, 2-0 SAC) came out strong in the second half and built the lead to 22, the Drovers tried to make it interesting by outscoring MACU 16-4 over the next six minutes to pull within 62-52 with 9:31 remaining.
But a three-point play by Davis began a 10-2 run that extended the lead back to 18 at the 6:24 mark.
Farris then scored six points over the next two minutes to help balloon the advantage back to a 22-point cushion and put it away.
In addition to Farris' 15 points, Lewis scored a team-high 17 points for the Evangels and Davis added 14. Mergerson also scored a career-best 13 points and Jarius Wilson chipped in with 11. Mergerson and Lewis tied for team-high honors with six rebounds.
Reynolds led all scorers with 21 points and Kennis White added 16 along with a game-high nine boards for the Drovers. Shavon Scott also scored in double-figures with 11 points.
The Evangels were out-rebounded 40-36 overall, but forced 24 turnovers and out-shot the Drovers 55.9 percent (33-of-59) to 40.3 percent (27-of-67).
MACU will next play a non-conference matchup at College of the Ozarks on Thursday night (Dec. 12) at 7 p.m. in Point Lookout, Mo. The Evangels won the first meeting between the two schools 99-85 at home back on Nov. 9.
