The Lowdown: Wiley College at No. 1 Mid-America Christian University
Time: Nov. 29 @ 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 now 7-1 on the season after winning all three games this past week, including a pair of victories at the Northern New Mexico Classic.
A huge key in this past week's success was the play of senior guard Olajuwon Garner. Garner scored 24 points and hit all six of his three-point attempts in a 127-56 rout of Kansas Christian before hitting a school record-tying nine threes along with a career-high tying 30 points to lead a 98-78 win over Northern New Mexico. Garner then hit five more treys in a 92-81 victory over the University of the Southwest (N.M.). Overall for the week, Garner hit 20-of-25 from beyond the arc.
Garner leads the Evangels in scoring this season with 19.8 ppg and has also hit a team-high and Sooner Athletic Conference-leading 35 threes on the season.
Tyler Chaisson is second in scoring with 15.0 ppg, followed by Devonse Reed with 11.9 ppg. Ex'Zavia Seaton is third in scoring at 11.0 ppg and leads the Evangels with 8.5 rebounds per game. Robert Romero is also scoring in double-figures with 10.5 ppg.
Malcolm Mann has dished out a team-high 49 assists this season and is second in the SAC in assists per game (6.1 apg).
The Dish on the Wildcats: The Wiley College Wildcats compete in the Red River Conference and enter tonight's contest with a 6-1 mark this season. The Wildcats are coming off an impressive 70-61 win at No. 20-ranked and SAC program Texas Wesleyan University last night (Nov. 28). The Wildcats have also split a pair of games against SAC member Southwestern Assemblies of God University, with each squad winning at home.
Ricardo Artis leads the Wildcats in scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (10.1 rpg). Artis' 10.1 rpg is tops in the Red River Conference. Kevondric Davis is second in scoring with 14.0 ppg and George Page is right behind at 13.7 ppg.
Cory Jones has recorded a conference-leading 6.4 assists per game for Wiley.
The Series: Tonight's matchup will be the first-ever meeting between MACU and Wiley College.
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 35-10 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.
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.
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.
Jameus Hartsfield is in his third season as head coach of the Wiley College Wildcats that follows a six-year tenure as assistant coach with the school. In his first season at the helm, Hartsfield guided the Wildcats to a 21-12 record and an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament.
Up Next: The Evangels will open up Sooner Athletic Conference action on Thursday night (Dec. 1) at 8 pm against No. 20-ranked and defending SAC regular season champion Texas Wesleyan University.
MACU will then host Bacone College in a SAC matchup Saturday evening (Dec. 3) at 5 pm.
