The Lowdown: Southwestern Assemblies of God @ Mid-America Christian University
Time: Thursday (Dec. 4) at 6 p.m.
Location: Gaulke Activity Center, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Live Video:
Live Stats:
The Dish on the Lady Evangels: The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels are 5-1 heading into tonight's Sooner Athletic Conference opener against Southwestern Assemblies of God University. The Lady Evangels defeated York College 77-50 last Tuesday (Nov. 25) inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
Alexia Kelley is averaging a double-double of 14.0 points and 11.7 rebounds to lead the Lady Evangels in both categories. Ashlee Ferguson is second in scoring at 13.2 ppg, while Maclayn Massey is also scoring in double-figures with 10.5 ppg. Alliyah Spatafora has dished out a team-high 33 assists and is followed closely by Felicia Foster's 32 helpers on the season.
The Dish on the Lady Lions: The Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lady Lions are 4-3 this season after winning 62-56 over Jarvis Christian College on Tuesday (Dec. 2). SAGU opened the season with two wins, then lost three straight but have currently won their last two outings.
SAGU doesn't have anyone averaging in double-figures and are led by Laken Ward's 8.3 ppg. Kassy Cox has a team-high 8.6 rebounds per game and Taylor Hill leads the Lady Lions with 26 assists.
The Series: Even though this is just SAGU's second season in the SAC, the Lady Evangels and Lady Lions have faced each other five times since MACU became an NAIA school in 2007. The Lady Evangels have won four of those five meetings, including sweeping last season's series.
The Coaches:
Marcus Moeller is in his second season as the head women's basketball coach after serving as assistant coach for the past two seasons. He has also served as the Assistant Athletic Director at MACU for the past two years.
In his first year at the helm, Moeller guided the Lady Evangels to new heights, leading MACU its most wins (18) since joining the NAIA and also a program-best 11 victories in the rugged Sooner Athletic Conference.
Prior to arriving at MACU, Moeller after served three years as an assistant coach at Missouri Southern State University under the tutorship of head coach Maryann Mitts. In those three seasons, Moeller helped MSSU compile an overall combined record of 51-33 and qualify for three MIAA conference tournaments.
He assisted in all areas of the MSSU program including recruiting, scouting, practice and gameday preparations, and academic success.
Before coaching at MSSU, Moeller had a successful playing career at Ozark Christian College in Joplin where he played in all 147 games over a four-year span. Moeller, a two-year captain, averaged eight points and five assists while helping lead the Ambassadors to a 24-16 record his senior season.
Moeller earned a three-year Associate's degree in Christian Education from Ozark Christian College in 2008 and a BS in General Studies from Missouri Southern in 2010.
He recently married Hannah Owen, former MACU assistant basketball coach during the 2010-11 season.
Arlon Beadles is in his 10th season guiding the Southwestern Assemblies of God Lady Lions.
Conference Opener Tidbits: The Lady Evangels are 2-5 in Sooner Athletic Conference openers since becoming an NAIA school in the 2007-08 season. MACU won 76-67 at Texas Wesleyan University in last season's conference opener.
Up Next: The Lady Evangels will continue conference action at St. Gregory's University on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 6) at 3 p.m. in Shawnee, Okla.
