OKLAHOMA CITY – The No. 14-ranked and top-seeded Mid-America Christian University Evangels moved into the semifinals of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament with a 79-67 victory over the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Drovers tonight (Mar. 5) at Abe Lemons Arena on the campus of Oklahoma City University. 

The Evangels will face the winner of fourth-seeded Southwestern Assemblies of God University and fifth-seeded St. Gregory's University tomorrow night (Mar. 6) at 8 p.m.

USAO got off to a hot start and built a lead of 18-10 behind 15 quick points from Donnie Brown.

The Evangels methodically fought their way back into it as five points from Chris Runnels keyed a 13-4 push that gave MACU its first lead of the game of 23-22 at the 8:10 mark of the first half.

It was a 32-32 gridlock late in the half when a tip-in and two free throws from Yuri Hager gave the Evangels a 36-32 lead at the break.

The Drovers kept it close through the opening minutes of the second half and briefly regained the lead on another three from Brown that made it 45-44 at the 15:21 mark.

But that's the point the Evangels took over by outscoring the Drovers 15-2 over the next four minutes to take their biggest lead to that point of 59-47 with 11:08 left.

Semar Farris drove for a layup and then assisted on buckets from Hager, Reggie Davis and Brock Hunter to spark the spurt.

Hager then hit another jumper before Jerrick Massenburge helped cap the run with a jumper and a three. 

The Evangels maintained control from that point and after the Drovers clawed within eight with five minutes left, MACU put it away with a 9-1 burst that doubled the lead to a game-high of 16 at 77-61 with 1:34 remaining.

Farris led the Evangels (22-9) with 20 points and five assists.  Hager scored a personal season-high of 14 points and Runnels chipped in with 11 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting from the field. Josh Smith led the Evangels with a game-high nine rebounds, while Reggie Davis scored 10 to give him 1,009 points for his career .

Brown wound up with a game-high 24 points to lead the Drovers (8-19).  Brendan Chapman and Markens Charles each scored 10 for USAO, with Chapman also recording a team-high eight boards. 

The Evangels dominated the interior, out-rebounding USAO 45-34 overall along with a 32-26 edge in points in the paint.