Plainview, Texas -- The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels shaved a 20-point second-half deficit down to six, but the No. 20-ranked Wayland Baptist University Flying Queens held off their charge and won 85-67 in the regular season finale today (Feb. 28) in Plainview, Texas.
With the Lady Evangels losing today and Texas Wesleyan University slipping by Southwestern Assemblies of God University 63-61, MACU will finish fifth in the Sooner Athletic Conference for the second straight season, equaling their best finish since joining the NAIA.
The Flying Queens took control early and built a lead as high as 26 at 39-13 with 4:50 left in the first half.
Lindsey Mann and Alexia Kelley then combined for 13 points of a 15-3 spurt that cut the deficit down to 42-28 before four points from Stephanie Afunugo gave the Flying Queens a 46-28 lead at the break.
WBU quickly stretched the lead back to 20 early in the second half, but the Lady Evangels continued their climb back as a jumper by Tierra Brown and a three from Alliyah Spatafora ignited a 13-4 burst that cut the lead to 54-43 at the 12:51 mark.
The Lady Evangels clawed even closer and came within six on three occasions, with the last time being on a layup by Felicia Foster with 8:24 left.
But that's as close as the Lady Evangels would come and Iesha Greer and Laura Castillo teamed up for 10 points of a 13-2 spurt that put it away and put the Flying Queens up by 19 with 1:24 remaining.
Spatafora led the Lady Evangels (16-11, 9-9 SAC) with 15 points, while Kelley notched her 12th double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Shakayla Love also scored in double-figures with 10 points and Brown recorded 11 boards.
Afunugo and Greer each recorded double-doubles to pace the Flying Queens. Afunugo had 26 points and 10 rebounds, with Greer tallying 20 points and 10 boards. Castillo scored 16 and Shawna Monreal added 13 points.
The Lady Evangels will either be tied for fifth or in fifth all alone in the SAC, depending on the outcome of the postponed game between Southwestern Christian University and St. Gregory's University. If SCU defeats SGU, then they would move into a tie for fifth place with MACU.
Next the Lady Evangels will compete in the SAC Postseason tournament beginning on Thursday (Mar. 5) at Oklahoma City University. Time and opponent are still to be determined.
