OKLAHOMA CITY -- The No. 21-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels started hot and cruised to an 80-58 victory over the Southwestern Christian University Eagles in Sooner Athletic Conference action Thursday night (Jan. 16) inside the Gaulke Activity Center. 

The victory propels the Evangels (9-4, 5-2 SAC) into second place in the SAC, 1 1/2 games behind 7-0 and No. 2-ranked Southwestern Assemblies of God University.  

The Evangels scored the first 13 points of the game, holding the Eagles scoreless for nearly the first six minutes of the game. 

It was 20-11 when Angelo Lewis connected from three-point range to cap a 10-2 run that stretched the lead to 17. 

The Eagles did manage to score the final six points of the half to come within 36-24 at the break. 

Farris sparked the Evangels' stifling defense in the opening half with four steals.  

The lead was 40-30 when Jarius Wilson scored five straight to finish off a 15-5 spurt that built the lead to 20 at the 11:27 mark of the second half, the Evangels' biggest lead to that point.  

The Evangels coasted from there, maintaining at least a 17-point lead the rest of the way. 

Lewis shot a blazing 9-of-11 from the field to finish with a team-high 20 points for the Evangels along with seven rebounds.  Stephen Armstrong scored 14 and Wilson added 13.  Farris posted another solid all-around game of 12 points, seven assists and five steals.  Reggie Davis also secured seven boards for MACU. 

Tyler Turner led the Eagles with 20 points and Reggie Sloan chipped in with 10.  

The Evangels' defense was stifling from the outset and limited the Eagles to only 30.8 percent (20-of-65) from the field.  SCU entered the game ranked second in the NAIA in threes made and threes per game, but the Evangels held SCU to only 29 percent (12-of-35) from beyond the arc. 

MACU also controlled the boards with a 52-41 overall edge on the glass. 

The Evangels will next play at Oklahoma City University on Saturday evening (Jan. 18) at 5 p.m. at Abe Lemons Arena on the OCU campus.

MACU won last season's meeting at OCU 81-74.