Winona Lake, Ind. -- In a closely contested contest that featured 12 ties and 10 lead changes, it was the Roberts Wesleyan University Redhawks that came out on top 90-86 over the Mid-America Christian University Evangels in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Tournament opener today (Mar. 19) on the campus of Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind.
The Evangels will now face the loser of Colorado Christian University and tournament host Grace College tomorrow afternoon (Mar. 20) at 12:45 (CST). Roberts Wesleyan will play the winner of the CCU/Grace game in the semifinals tomorrow night at 7:45 p.m. (CST).
MACU trailed by four at the 1:47 mark before Semar Farris converted a three-point play and then hit a jumper to create the 12th gridlock of the game at 82-82 with 1:14 left.
It was then that the Redhawks took the lead for good when Jamaal Carter got free for a score with 46 seconds left.
The next possession saw the Evangels get a wide-open look at a three that would have gave them the lead, but Jarius Wilson's attempt was off the mark with 34 seconds left.
The Evangels had one final chance down 89-86, but Farris missed inside after trying to go for the quick two with 11 seconds remaining.
Patrick Downer then hit one of two free throws to seal the win for the Redhawks.
The Evangels (18-13) got off to a quick start as two threes by Jarius Wilson and a trey from Reggie Davis accounted for a 9-0 spurt that put MACU in front 20-11 at the 13:36 mark of the first half.
It remained a 26-20 lead when Isaac Medeiros scored consecutive buckets to cap a 15-6 charge that put the Redhawks in front 35-31.
Down 40-35, Farris scored the final five points of the half for the Evangels to forge a 40-40 tie at the break.
The Evangels got off to a slow start in the second half and trailed by seven after a three by William Bromirski put the Redhawks on top 51-44.
MACU chipped away at the lead and finally caught the Redhawks on a three by Davis that pulled the Evangels in a 65-65 tie with 8:15 left.
The two teams exchanged baskets until a jumper from Wilson made it 72-71 to give the Evangels their first lead since the 18:43 mark of the second half.
Farris led the Evangels today in points (35), rebounds (8), assists (5) and steals (3). Davis scored 14, Wilson added 12 and Angelo Lewis chipped in with 11 points.
Medeiros led four Redhawks in double-figures with 22 points along with a team-high nine boards. Downer scored 21 and had eight rebounds. Tyrel Dixon scored 17 and Bromirski added 15.
