The Lowdown: Southwestern Oklahoma State University at No. 1 Mid-America Christian University (Exhibition Game)
Time: Nov. 5 @ 3 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 2-0 after thumping the Philander Smith College Panthers 123-93 last Friday night (Oct. 28).
On the night the Evangels received their NAIA National Championship rings and saw their official NAIA National Championship banner unveiled, the Evangels played in a manner that made it easy to believe they'll be contending for more rings and another banner throughout the season.
MACU put on an offensive clinic by scoring the most points in school history as an NAIA program in a resounding 123-93 victory over the Philander Smith College Panthers tonight (Oct. 28) inside a packed and raucous Gaulke Activity Center.
The Evangels seemed to feed off the crowd's energy, particularly during a game-ending run in the second half.
"Hands down the best atmosphere I've ever been a part of here," MACU head coach Josh Gamblin said.
"It got us going, especially in the second half. Ex'Zavia Seaton told me he couldn't even hear the defensive calls it was so loud in the second half."
The Evangels twice expanded the lead to a game-high 45 points, with the last coming on a three by Will Brewer that made it 109-64 with 7:26 remaining.
Jordan Rhodes led eight Evangels in double-figure scoring with 23 points on 9-of-12 from the field and 5-of-6 from the perimeter.
Olajuwon Garner finished with 22 points and hit six-of-nine from three-point distance. The Evangels also got 13 points each from Tyler Chaisson and Devante Moore and 11 points and team-high nine rebounds from Seaton.
Malcolm Mann, Devonse Reed and Robert Romero each chipped in with 10 points, with Mann dishing out a game-high nine assists and Reed securing a career-best four steals.
Garner leads the Evangels in scoring (16.5 ppg) and three-pointers (7) through two games this season. He is also tied for the team-lead in rebounds (6.5 rpg) with Seaton.
Mann has dished out a team-best 14 assists on the season for the Evangels.
The Dish on the Bulldogs: The Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs, an NCAA D-II program out of the Great American Conference, opened the season with an exhibition loss at Sooner Athletic Conference member and No. 18-ranked Oklahoma City University 80-59 last Monday night (Oct. 31). Reshardd Harris led SWOSU in scoring with 13 points in the setback and Collin Jennings had a team-high eight rebounds.
The Bulldogs were 17-12 overall last season and 13-9 in league play. Markeise Champion is SWOSU's leading returning scorer after tallying 13.8 points per game last year. Champion also hit a team-high 41.5 percent (90-of-217) from the perimeter.
The Series: The Evangels are 1-2 vs. SWOSU in three exhibition games since joining the NAIA. The Bulldogs won the last meeting in Weatherford, Okla. 93-73 in the 2014-15 season, while the Evangels won at home 91-73 during the 2013-14 season. The two schools also met in the 2010-11 season, with the Evangels falling at SWOSU 74-61.
Best in All 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.
Bob Battisti is in his fourth season as head coach of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs. Battisti has a record of 50-35 with the Bulldogs. Before SWOSU, Battisti served two seasons as assistant coach at Oklahoma Christian University after a 25-year tenure at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Battisti was head coach for 21 years at NWOSU and was then the school's Athletic Director for four seasons.
Up Next: The Evangels will remain at home and host Lindenwood University-Belleville next Thursday night (Nov. 10) at 7 p.m.
