The Lowdown: Lindenwood University-Belleville at No. 1 Mid-America Christian University
Time: Nov. 10 @ 7 p.m.
Location: Gaulke Activity Center, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Live Video:
Live Stats:
The Dish on the Evangels: The No. 1-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels are 2-0 and are coming off an 87-77 exhibition victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State University last Saturday (Nov. 5).
The only time the Evangels trailed was early on, as the Bulldogs started the game on a 9-2 run during the games first 4:30.
Tyler Chaisson then hit two free throws that followed by three straight timely threes from Jordan Rhodes that capped a run of 11 straight points and put the Evangels in front to stay at 13-9.
The lead was 21-18 when treys from Olajuwon Garner, Robert Romero and Devonse Reed helped push the edge to double-figures at 32-22 and the Evangels carried a 38-30 lead into the break.
The Bulldogs didn't go quietly in the second half, as a three from Nick Shoemaker finished a 10-2 spurt by SWOSU that cut the Evangel down to one possession at 56-53 at the 10:13 mark of the second half.
But the Evangels pulled away again on the strength of their perimeter shooting, with Garner fueling a 14-5 burst with two threes that made it 70-58 with 7:05 remaining.
The Evangels also got threes from Keyshawn Perkins and another trey from Romero during that span.
MACU never looked back from that point, building the advantage to a game-high 17 points on a bucket from Romero at the 1:35 mark.
Reed led the Evangels with 20 points on 7-of-11 from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point distance. Romero had 16 points along with a team-high eight rebounds.
Rhodes also scored in double-figures with 12 points and Malcolm Mann had a team-best nine assists. Perkins also dished out six dimes.
Garner leads seven Evangels in double-figure scoring with 16.0 ppg along with a team-high seven three-pointers through two games this season. He is also tied for the team-lead in rebounds (6.5 rpg) with Ex'Zavia Seaton.
Mann has dished out a team-best 14 assists for the Evangels.
The Dish on the Lynx: The Lindenwood University-Belleville Lynx are also undefeated this season at 3-0, with two wins over Fisk (Tenn.) and one over Haskell (Kan.).
MarTavian Payne is the NAIA's top scorer thus far this season at 35.7 points per game, while David Shepherd is scoring 16.3 ppg with a team-high 10.3 rebounds. Chris Deanes leads the Lynch with 13 assists. The Lynx have five players averaging double-figure scoring this year.
The Series: Tonight will be the first matchup between the Evangels and the Lynx.
Double the Fun: The Evangels have a balanced offensive attack through the first two games, with seven players averaging double-figure scoring. Olajuwon Garner leads MACU in scoring with 16.0 ppg, followed by Tyler Chaisson (15.5 ppg), Devante Moore (15.0 ppg), Jordan Rhodes (13.0 ppg), Devonse Reed (13.0 ppg), Robert Romero (13.0 ppg) and Ex'Zavia Seaton (10.5 ppg).
Best in the Land: The defending NAIA National Champion Mid-America Christian University Evangels have begun the year in the same spot they ended last season, as the Evangels are ranked No. 1 in the NAIA Top 25 Preseason Coaches' Poll for the first time in school history.
"We're humbled and honored to be picked first in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll," MACU head coach Josh Gamblin said.
"But we know it's only a preseason ranking and has no relevance to this season. We still have to come out every night and play the game the right way, knowing everyone will take their best shot at us."
The Coaches:
In his first season at the helm of the Mid-America Christian University Evangel men's basketball program, head coach Josh Gamblin made a historic, immediate impact. Gamblin guided the Evangels to their first-ever NAIA National Championship, capping off the memorable title run with a thrilling, 100-99 overtime victory over then No. 1-ranked Georgetown (Ky.). In the process, Gamblin become the youngest coach (27 years old) in college basketball history to win a national championship at a four-year institution.
Following the championship triumph, Gamblin was named the 2015-16 Rawlings-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coach of the Year. His character influence was also felt throughout the year, culminating with the program receiving the Dr. James Naismith-Emil S. Liston Sportsmanship award at the conclusion of the NAIA National Tournament.
Overall, Gamblin is 30-9 at the helm of the Evangels.
Recently, Gamblin had the privilege of speaking at the Nike Championship Basketball Clinic on the campus of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. Gamblin presented the topic "Covering the Pick and Roll" to attendees and was joined by other premier coaches and players from around the U.S., including coaches Lon Kruger and Sherri Coale from the University of Oklahoma and retired NBA center Swen Nater.
Gamblin came 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 one-year old son Miles.
Scott Spinner is in his sixth season as head coach of the Lindenwood-Belleville University Lynx. Spinner guided the Lynx to their first-ever NAIA National Tournament appearance in the 2013-14 season.
Up Next: The Evangels will remain at home and host Langston University Tuesday night (Nov. 15) at 7 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
