OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels dug a 27-point hole, fought back to within two, but ultimately it was too big to climb out of as the College of the Ozarks Bobcats hung on for a 99-91 win tonight (Dec. 11) inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
The loss keeps MACU head coach Willie Holley four wins shy of his 800th at 796 career victories.
The Bobcats took control from the outset by shooting a blistering 56.1 percent (23-of-41) and 53.3 percent (8-of-15) from the perimeter in the first half.
It was a 55-33 deficit at the break and the Bobcats kept their foot on the gas pedal, stretching the lead to 75-48 at the 14:31 mark of the second half.
That's when the Evangels made their push as two consecutive threes by Brock Hunter and then four straight treys from Jarius Wilson fueled an 18-0 burst that cut the lead to 75-66.
It was then Semar Farris and Reggie Davis' turn to lead a spurt as the duo combined to score all 15 points of a 15-8 run that brought the Evangels all the way within two at 83-81 with 7:18 left.
But the Bobcats found a way to hold off the Evangels from that point and scored the next seven points to push the lead back to 90-81 with 5:25 remaining.
The Evangels (8-4) could only get within six on two occasions the rest of the way, with the last time being on a bucket from Jason Nwisienyi with 3:31 left that made it 94-88.
Davis led the Evangels with a game-high 24 points and also tied for team-high honors with five rebounds. Farris scored 23 and dished out a game-high nine assists. Wilson and Chris Runnels each scored 12 and Josh Smith also had five boards.
Derek Daniels paced four Bobcats in double-figures with 19 points and Ethan Murray added 18. Pete Leonard and Cameron Pashke scored 14 apiece.
Following the red-hot first half, the Bobcats (8-3) actually shot better from the field in the second half, going 60 percent (12-of-20). The Bobcats were also productive at the foul line, going 18-of-24 from the charity stripe after attempting only two free-throws in the opening half.
MACU rode a scorching 60.5 percent (23-of-38) shooting clip in the second half to get back into it.
The Evangels were also hurt on the glass, as the Bobcats held a 41-26 edge overall on the boards.
MACU will next host the University of the Southwest (N.M.) Mustangs next Thursday night (Dec. 18) at 7 p.m. The Mustangs are coached by Charlie Goar, who played at MACU and spent six seasons as an assistant head coach.
The Evangels defeated the Mustangs 98-86 earlier this season (Nov. 4) at the Hudiburg Tip-Off Classic at Hillsdale College in Moore, Okla.
