Joplin, Mo. -- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels notched a statement victory tonight (Nov. 22), defeating the Missouri Southern State University Lions 84-78 in an exhibition game for the Evangels on the final day of the Freeman Sports Medicine/Chris Tucker Memorial Classic at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center in Joplin, Mo.
The Lions, an NCAA D-II opponent out of the MIAA, are now 2-3 on the season but are coming off a 25-6 season that featured an MIAA Tournament championship and a NCAA Central Regional semifinal appearance.
The win is the second in as many nights for the Evangels over an NCAA D-II MIAA squad after routing Lincoln University 79-62 last night (Nov. 21).
The Evangels (6-1) led from outset and each time the Lions threatened, MACU had an answer to thwart the rally.
The final occurence came when the Lions trimmed an 11-point deficit down to four on as nine straight points by Taevaunn Prince fueled an 11-2 push that made it 78-74 with 1:17 left.
But Semar Farris came through with two of his game-high 21 points to stretch the lead back to six and following a crucial defensive stop, Jarius Wilson was fouled and nailed two big free throws to make it a three-possession lead and essentially put it away with 34 seconds left.
The Evangels got off to a hot start, scoring the first six points of the game and quickly built the lead to double-figures at 15-5 on the strength of seven points from Reggie Davis.
After a three by Farris put the Evangels up 18-7, Charlie Brown scored seven points to fuel a 10-0 run by the Lions that cut the lead to just one at the 9:49 mark of the first half.
This time it was Brock Hunter who helped the Evangels fend off the Lions with five straight points that began an 11-2 run that once again put MACU ahead by double-digits at 29-19.
The lead was 31-24 when the Evangels gained their biggest lead of the game with an 11-2 burst that made it 42-26 with 3:49 left in the opening half.
Following a Southern timeout, the Lions fought back again and closed the half on a 10-2 run that left the Evangels with a 44-36 lead at the break.
The Lions continued the momentum in the second half and made it a two-point game on consecutive baskets by Cameron Cornelius at the 15:21 mark.
After an exchange of buckets that kept it a two-point lead for MACU, Yuri Hager entered the game and scored three timely baskets inside that sparked a 12-1 spurt that gave the Evangels a 68-55 lead with 11:10 remaining.
Farris's 21 points came on 8-of-15 shooting overall from the floor and he also dished out four assists. Davis and Jerrick Massenburge each scored 14, with Wilson adding 10 points along with a team-high six rebounds and four helpers.
Prince paced four Lions in double-figure scoring with 19 points and Greg Renfroe had a game-high eight boards for MSSU.
The Evangels will next be in action at Langston University Tuesday night (Nov. 25) at 7 p.m. in Langston, Okla.
