The Lowdown: Bethany (Kan.) @ No. 10 Mid-America Christian University
Time: Nov. 13 @ 7 p.m.
Location: Gaulke Activity Center, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Live Video:
Live Stats:
The Dish on the Evangels: The No. 10-ranked and defending Sooner Athletic Conference regular season champion Mid-America Christian University Evangels are 3-1 this season and are coming off a strong showing in an 98-76 exhibition loss at the No. 8-ranked (NCAA D-I) University of Oklahoma Sooners last night (Nov. 12) at the Lloyd Noble Center.
Devonse Reed finished with a game-high 30 points for the Evangels on 11-of-15 shooting overall and 6-of-8 from three-point range. Nick Tate finished with 12 points and six rebounds and Ex'Zavia Seaton scored 11. Jerrick Massenburge also scored in double-figures with 10 points along with six boards.
Reed is the Evangels' leading scorer through three games at 19.0 ppg, while Tate is second in scoring with 16.8 ppg and has a team-high 9.3 rebounds per game. Massenburge is third on the team in scoring with 14.0 ppg and has nailed a team-best 10 threes on the season. The Evangels are also getting 10.0 ppg from Seaton and Chris Runnels. Malcolm Mann has dished out a team-high 22 assists thus far for the Evangels.
As a team, the Evangels are seventh in the NAIA in offensive rebounds per game (18), eighth in turnover margin (7.0) and 10th in steals (46).
The Dish on the Swedes: The Bethany College Swedes, of the Kansas Collegiate Conference, are 2-2 on the season and have won two straight, including a win over SAC member Southwestern Christian University.
Jonathan Gidson leads the Swedes in scoring with 22.3 points per game and also has 5.3 rebounds per game. Gary Jones is also scoring in double-figures at 12.5 ppg. Cody Harris has a team-high 5.5 rebounds on the season and June Johnson leads Bethany with 13 assists on the season.
The Series: After winning 115-95 at Bethany earlier this season (Oct. 31), the Evangels are now 4-3 vs. the Swedes since joining the NAIA. MACU is 1-1 in the two meetings at home between the two schools.
Getting it started right: After defeating Haskell Indian Nations University to kick off the 2015-16 season, the Evangels have now won their last eight season openers and are 9-1 overall beginning the season since joining the NAIA.
High Expectations: Fresh off of capturing their first Sooner Athletic Conference regular season championship and advancing to the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Tournament, the Evangels were picked to finish tied for second in the preseason SAC Coaches' poll. MACU was tied for the second spot with Wayland Baptist University. It represents the highest the Evangels have been tabbed in the poll since becoming an NAIA and SAC member in 2007.
The Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions received seven of nine first-place votes to take the top spot. The Lions are coming off a 22-11 record last season with an NAIA National Championship tournament appearance.
John Brown University and Texas Wesleyan University round out the top five, with the remainder of the poll being Oklahoma City University, USAO, Southwestern Christian University, St. Gregory's University and Bacone College.
The Coaches:
Josh Gamblin is in his first season as the head coach of the Mid-America Christian University men's basketball program and has the Evangels off to a 3-1 start. Gamblin replaces Willie Holley, who retired after 42 years and 813 career victories at the helm.
Gamblin comes to MACU from the University of Oklahoma, where he was a Graduate Assistant Coach under Head Coach Lon Kruger. There he assisted in all practices and logged scout games. Gamblin also worked with coaches on opponent scouting reports for a squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last season.
"We really appreciate all of Josh's assistance during his time with the Sooners and I know he'll do a fantastic job," Kruger said. "MACU is lucky to have him."
Prior to arriving at OU, Gamblin served two-years at Southwestern Christian University (SCU) as lead Assistant Coach on Head Coach Quinn Wooldridge's staff. Gamblin's duties at SCU involved recruiting, leading film sessions and analyzing opponent's scouting reports.
During the 2011-12 basketball season, Gamblin worked in the NBA as the Intern Video Coordinator for the Los Angeles Clippers under then-Head Coach Vinny Del Negro. Gamblin helped prepare pre-game scouting reports for the Clippers, as well as logging all opponent games and being involved in coaches meetings. His efforts with the Clippers led to the best winning percentage in team history.
"Josh has worked at the highest level and continually strives to learn and become a better coach each day," Del Negro said. "He is constantly working to improve his craft and striving for excellence is everything he does."
Off the court, Gamblin has served as Clippers' All-Star Forward Blake Griffin's Summer Basketball Trainer for the past three seasons. Gamblin helped Griffin prepare for upcoming basketball seasons by working on a number of offensive and defensive drills—specifically pick and roll coverages, low post moves and ball handling drills.
Gamblin's collegiate-athlete experience includes, but not limited to: competed at SCU on the Men's Basketball team from 2007-11; Varsity Captain (twice); named SCU Male Newcomer of the Year in 2008; and selected as Team MVP for the 2011 season. Additional honors include: Association of Christian College Athletics (ACCA) Honorable-Mention All-America honors in 2010; a Midlands Collegiate Athletic All-Conference selection in 2011; and named "Mr. Southwestern" in 2011, (awarded to the student who exemplifies the values, traditions and spirit of SCU). After the 2011 season, Gamblin received the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete award.
He graduated from SCU in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and is currently enrolled in the IAA Master's program at the University of Oklahoma.
Gamblin and his wife Jennifer live in Oklahoma City with their infant son Miles.
Clair Oleen is in his 23rd season as head coach of the Bethany College Swedes and is the program's all-time career wins leader (306). Oleen guided the Swedes to the NAIA D-II National Championship game in 2003 and has also led the team to three KCAC tournament championships.
Up Next: The Evangels will conclude their four games in five night stretch at home against No. 20-ranked Philander Smith College tomorrow evening (Nov. 14) at 5 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
