Winona Lake, Ind. -- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels scored the last six points of the game to defeat the Colorado Christian University Cougars 86-80 in a consolation game at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Tournament on the campus of Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind.
The win avenges a loss to the Cougars last week in the NCCAA Central Regional semifinals and moves the Evangels into the fifth-place game tomorrow afternoon (Mar. 21) at 4 p.m. (CST) against the Union (Tenn.) Bulldogs.
The Evangels (19-13) trailed by as many as 11 in the second half but fought back to take their first lead since the 5:54 mark of the first half when Josh Minner scored to cap a 6-0 spurt to put MACU on top 79-78 with 3:33 left.
After Andrew Squiers scored for the Cougars to tie it up at 80-80 at the 1:38 mark, the Evangels blanked CCU from that point and Stephen Armstrong hit two free-throws on the next possession to put MACU in front for good.
Following a defensive stop, Minner scored again to with 26 seconds left to make it a two-possession game and Semar Farris closed out the victory with two makes at the charity stripe.
The Evangels trailed 44-42 at the break but found themselves quickly behind 56-45 early in the second half when Squiers and Michael Brown combined for nine points to fuel a 12-3 spurt during the first two minutes of the half.
A basket by Angelo Lewis and a three by Minner gave the Evangels five straight points and another bucket by Minner capped a 13-2 run that trimmed the deficit to just two at 58-56 at the 13:28 mark.
Minner equaled a career-high in points (23) and field-goals (10) to lead the Evangels in scoring. Lewis scored 16 with a game-high nine rebounds, while Armstrong chipped in with a career-best 15 points. Farris also scored 15 points and recorded game-highs of six assists and seven steals.
Avery Redmond led the Cougars with 24 points, with Joey Trinkle adding 13 points and Squiers scoring 12. Trinkle and Squiers also each grabbed a team-high seven boards.
The Evangels out-rebounded the Cougars 39-34 overall, with a 17-8 edge on the offensive glass.
