The Lowdown: No. 18 Mid-America Christian University @ Oklahoma Baptist University
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Shawnee, Okla.
Live Video and Audio: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/okbu.portal#
Live Stats:
http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
The Dish on the Evangels: The Evangels lost their first conference game of the season with an 82-77 setback at No. 3-ranked Southwestern Assemblies of God University last Saturday (Jan. 4). MACU is now 7-3 overall and 3-1 in the Sooner Athletic Conference after beginning the conference year 3-0 for the first time since joining the NAIA. MACU is currently ranked No. 18 in the latest NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll, which was released today (Jan. 7). It's the first time the Evangels have been ranked since last February (T-23rd) and the highest ranking in school history.
Semar Farris is leading the Evangels in both scoring (20.5 ppg), assists (55) and steals (25). Angelo Lewis is right behind at 19.5 ppg along a with team-best 6.3 rebounds a game. Jarius Wilson (14.4 ppg) and Reggie Davis (10.6 ppg) are also scoring in double-figures for MACU.
The Dish on the Bison: The Oklahoma Baptist University Bison, the preseason favorite to win the Sooner Athletic Conference, currently sit at 7-5 overall and 1-1 in the SAC following a 71-69 win at Northwood University last Saturday (Jan. 4). The Bison started the conference season with an 89-76 loss at home to No. 3-ranked Southwestern Assemblies of God University after knocking off No. 5-ranked Evangel University 80-69 to avenge an earlier loss to EU.
Morris Woods leads OBU with 21.4 points per game, while Aaron Abram is next with 16.4 ppg along with a team-high seven rebounds a game. Kendall Parks has dished out a team-leading 85 assists on the season.
The Series: The Evangels have lost 11 of 12 meetings with Oklahoma Baptist University as an NAIA program. The Evangels' lone win over the Bison came during the 2010-11 season, an 82-76 victory at the then No. 9-ranked Bison in Shawnee, Okla.
The Coaches:
Willie Holley is in his 41st season as head coach at Mid-America Christian University and his 776 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.
Doug Tolin is in his 14th season as head coach of OBU and has led the Bison to 13 consecutive NAIA Tournaments, including a national championship in 2010 and a national runner-up finish in 2012. He is a three-time SAC Coach of the Year and was named the NAIA Coach of the Year in 2010.
Up Next: The Evangels will play at Wayland Baptist University on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 11) at 3 p.m. in Plainview, Texas.
