The Lowdown: Northwood University @ Mid-America Christian University
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Gaulke Activity Center, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Live Video: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/macu.portal#
Live Stats:
http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
The Dish on the Evangels: The Evangels enter tonight's game with a record of 6-2 overall and a perfect 2-0 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. MACU also has exhibition victories over NCAA D-II Southwestern Oklahoma State University and at Arkansas Tech University. The Evangels were riding a three-game winning streak before falling in a double-overtime battle at College of the Ozarks on Dec. 12.
Semar Farris is leading the Evangels in both scoring (20.6 ppg), assists (48) and steals (18). Angelo Lewis is right behind at 19.6 ppg and has a team-high six rebounds a game. Jarius Wilson (14.8 ppg) and Reggie Davis (10.0 ppg) are also scoring in double-figures for MACU.
The Dish on the Knights: The Northwood University Knights are 2-4 on the season, but handed NCAA D-II Texas A&M Commerce its only loss thus far this year back on Dec. 3. Texas A&M Commerce then evened the score against NU 105-75 at home on Dec. 11. The Knights have yet to play in the SAC this season after having games with Southwestern Christian University and Oklahoma City University postponed due to winter weather.
Everett Pleasant is averaging a monster double-double for the Knights of 19.8 points per game and 13 rebounds a game. BJ Dale is right behind at 18 ppg.
The Series: This is the first meeting between MACU and Northwood since the Evangels joined the NAIA in 2007.
The Coaches:
Willie Holley is in his 41st season as head coach at Mid-America Christian University and his 775 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.
Ray Wilkerson is currently the head coach for the Northwood University Knights.
Up Next: The Evangels will be in for a test at No. 3-ranked (T-3rd) and last year's NAIA Runner-Up Southwestern Assemblies of God University on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 4) at 5 p.m. in Waxahachie, Texas.
