Espanola, N.M. – The No. 1-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels ran their record to 7-1 with a 92-81 victory over the University of the Southwest (N.M.) Mustangs in action at the Northern New Mexico Classic tonight (Nov. 26) in Espanola, N.M.
The game was tight in the early going, featuring four ties and six lead changes, all within the first 10 minutes of the opening half.
With the last tie coming at 15-15, Olajuwon Garner helped the Evangels take command with two threes and nine points that spearheaded an 11-0 burst at the 7:40 mark of the first half.
The Evangels stretched the lead as high as 18 in the opening 20 minutes, but the Mustangs scored 10 straight points to come within eight at the 1:54 mark.
A three by Malcolm Mann and two free throws by Robert Romero allowed the Evangels to carry a 45-34 lead into the break.
In the second half, the Evangels kept the Mustangs at arm's length, never allowing the lead to sink below double-figures.
The Evangels led by as many as 20 six times in the second stanza and each time the Mustangs threatened to make things interesting, the door was slammed shut.
After two threes by Jordan Rhodes fueled a 10-0 run that built the lead to 20 for the first time, the Mustangs went on a 13-5 push that cut the lead to 12.
But as was the theme throughout, the Evangels responded swiftly as a trey by Garner capped a 9-0 spurt that quickly expanded the lead to a game-high 21 points at 74-53 with 10:16 remaining.
Tyler Chaisson led the Evangels with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 3-of-3 from the charity stripe.
One night after tying the school single-game record with nine three-pointers, Garner scored 18 points and hit five more from beyond the arc.
Ex'Zavia Seaton scored 14 points, along with a team-high nine rebounds and career-best seven assists.
David Blaylock led the Mustangs (4-3) with 21 points, followed by 19 points from Emery Coleman.
Leroy Cox, Jr. recorded a double-double of 13 points and 12 boards for USW, while Jim Coleman added 10 points.
The Evangels will next return home and host Wiley College (Texas) Tuesday night (Nov. 29) at 7 pm inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
MACU will then open up Sooner Athletic Conference action next Thursday night (Dec. 1) at 8 pm against No. 20-ranked and defending SAC regular season champion Texas Wesleyan University.
