Springfield, Mo. -- The No. 16-ranked (NCAA D-II) Drury University Panthers shot 70 percent (21-of-30) in the second half to overcome a 10-point deficit and defeat the Mid-America Christian University Evangels 102-89 in an exhibition for the Evangels today (Nov. 21) at the O'Reily Event Center in Springfield, Mo.
The Evangels trailed 42-36 at the break but sprinted out of the locker room outscoring the Panthers 21-7 during the first 5:30 of the second half to jump on top 57-49.
A three-pointer from Jerrick Massenburge then extended the Evangel edge to double-digits at 66-56 at the 11:20 mark.
It was still a 70-64 lead for MACU when the Panthers caught fire, as Kameron Bundy scored eight points to key a 19-2 spurt that saw DU make six-of-seven from the field and all four at the charity stripe to suddenly take an 83-72 lead with 5:45 remaining.
The Evangels got within seven on two occasions from that point, but each time Drury had an answer, including eight straight points over the final two minutes to put it away.
MACU started the game on a 10-3 run and held the lead until the Panthers used a 12-0 push to lead 26-18 at the 10:08 mark of the opening half.
The Evangels answered with treys from Devante Moore and Jerrick Warren before pulling even on a trey by Massenburge and a layup from Nick Tate that made it 29-29.
The lead see-sawed from that point during the remainder of the half and the Evangels led 36-34 when the Panthers scored the final eight of the period to lead by six at the half.
Tate and Bryon Miller led the Evangels (6-1) with 20 points each, with Devonse Reed adding 13 points and Chris Runnels scoring 12. Malcolm Mann grabbed a team-high seven rebounds for MACU.
Bundy paced five Panthers (3-0) in double-figures with 26 points. Tevin Foster scored 20 and Douglas Moore had a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Evangels will next compete in the SGU Thanksgiving Classic next weekend on the campus of St. Gregory's University in Shawnee, Okla. MACU will face Jarvis Christian College Friday evening (Nov. 27) at 6 p.m. and then Baker University Saturday afternoon (Nov. 28) at 2 p.m.
