OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Southwestern Christian University Eagles shot 58.3 percent (21-of-36) overall and 60 percent (9-of-15) from the perimeter in the second half to overcome an 11-point deficit and upset the No. 13-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels 96-88 today (Feb. 20) on Senior Day inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
The Eagles overcame a standout performance from MACU senior Nick Tate, who poured in a career-high 33 points along with eight rebounds in his final home game.
The Evangels' lead was 65-54 on a putback by Tate at the 13:03 mark of the second half when Marvin White ignited the Eagles with consecutive threes that started a 23-8 push over the next six minutes that gave SCU a 77-73 lead.
SCU held the lead from that point, building the edge to eight before a bucket from Devonse Reed and two free throws by Tate brought MACU within four with 2:05 remaining.
But White answered with a stepback three and after a jumper from Malcolm Mann cut the lead to five, Willie Harper found his way inside for a score that effectively put it away with 1:15 left.
The Evangels led throughout the first half and stretched the lead to 13 at 38-25 at the 4:09 mark, only to have the Eagles end the half outscoring MACU 17-6 to come within 44-42 at the break.
Tate nailed a career-best 10-of-10 at the charity stripe and equaled his career-high with a 10-of-14 clip overall from the field. His eight boards led the Evangels, as did his four steals.
Seniors Jerrick Massenburge and Bryon Miller scored 14 points and 11points, respectively, while Reed added 10 points. Senior Chris Runnels recorded one block to break his own single-season school mark with 50 on the season. Runnels is now five blocks shy of tying the overall school record. Senior Jason Nwisienyi had two points and two rebounds for the Evangels (21-7, 11-5 SAC) in his farewell home appearance.
White led the Eagles (13-12, 9-7 SAC) with 30 points on 11-of-20 from the field and 7-of-12 from beyond the arc. SCU also got a double-double of 21 points and 11 boards from Gabi Laurent and 16 points from Harper. Mikel Parish had 16 points and a game-high seven assists for SCU.
The Evangels will now hit the road for the final two games of the regular season, starting Thursday night (Feb. 25) for an 8 p.m. tipoff at Bacone College. MACU won the first matchup against Bacone 102-88 in the first meeting this season (Jan. 28).
