Canyon, Texas -- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels fell 81-76 in a hard-fought exhibition matchup tonight (Dec. 8) at the NCAA D-II West Texas A&M Buffaloes at the First United Bank Center in Canyon, Texas. 

The Buffs led throughout, up by six at the break 44-38 before stretching the lead to a game-high 62-48 with 12:34 remaining.

As was the theme of the night, the Evangels fought back and hung around, coming within three as a pair of treys from Ex'Zavia Seaton keyed a 12-1 spurt that cut the deficit to 63-60 at the 6:54 mark of the second half. 

The Evangels (8-2) came as close as two when a three-point play from Chris Runnels made it 67-65 with 4:11 left. 

The Buffs consistently had an answer to hold off MACU, this time coming on four straight points from Jordan Evans that increased the edge back to six at 71-65 with 2:38 remaining. 

The Evangels didn't go away and clawed within three on two more occasions, with the last being on a Nick Tate three that brought MACU within 76-73 at the 1:24 mark. 

MACU then forced a turnover and had a chance to tie, but this time a trey by Tate was off the mark.  

The Buffs came back and got a layup from Tommy Gove that pushed the lead back to five and then hit three free throws over the final 22 seconds to finally put it away. 

Devonse Reed led the Evangels with 17 points and Bryon Miller scored 14 with a team-high seven rebounds. Runnels added 13 points with three blocks. 

Evans and David Chavlovich each scored 21 to pace the Buffs (7-3). 

The Evangels will next play at Philander Smith College on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 12) at 2 p.m. in Little Rock, Ark. MACU bested then No. 20-ranked Philander Smith 101-95 at home in the first meeting back on Nov. 14.