KANSAS CITY – The fourth-seeded and No. 14-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels are officially in unchartered territory, defeating the sixth-seeded and No. 21-ranked University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) Patriots 77-73 today (Mar. 19) to advance to their first-ever NAIA Fab Four at the historic Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. The victory puts the Evangels at 26-9 on the season, their most wins since joining the NAIA in 2007.
The Evangels now await the winner of Campbellsville (Ky.) and Carroll (Mont.), who plays later tonight.
Devonse Reed produced perhaps the biggest stretch of the game, hitting a three and then a putback that snapped a 64-64 tie and put the Evangels up by five with 3:39 to play.
"Devonse stepped up and made a couple of late shot-clock possessions for us, and it seemed like on the offensive end both teams were really guarding well," said MACU head coach Josh Gamblin.
"It was a grind effort by both groups and our group just made a couple more plays down the stretch."
The Evangels never trailed from that point, but had to hang on and hit big free throws down the stretch.
Nick Tate hit two free throws to push the Evangels lead to 71-65, but the Patriots came back within one behind six straight points from D'Lando Carter with 24 seconds left.
Bryon Miller then connected on one of two at the foul line and following a big defensive stop by the Evangels, Miller came back to the charity stripe and nailed two free throws that built the lead to 75-71 with 10 seconds left.
After Xavier Owens scored quickly for the Patriots to make it a two-point game, Reed stepped up with two critical free throws to put it away for the Evangels.
"MACU is very good," said Cumberlands head coach Don Butcher. "They are the most difficult team we've had to defend all year and that might have been the best defense we've played all year and they still scored 77 points. We can't guard any harder or any better. They are a very talented team and their coach does an excellent job. I think they brought out our best and we brought out our best."
For the second straight day, the Evangels came out of the gates quick, scoring the first six points of the game and twice leading by seven points within the first five minutes of the game.
Malcolm Mann scored eight early points to help the Evangels get off to the good start, but the Patriots quickly responded with an 11-2 spurt to take an 18-16 lead at the 10:33 mark.
A three by Jerrick Massenburge and a bucket from Chris Runnels put MACU on top again and it tight the remainder of the half.
With the score knotted at 33-33, Miller hit a three to give the Evangels a 36-33 lead at the break.
Reed and Miller each scored 17 points to lead the Evangels, while Miller also equaled his career-high with a team-leading 11 rebounds. Runnels scored 15 and blocked one shot, giving him a school single-season record 56 swats. Runnels also dished out a career and team-high five assists and hit seven-of-eight at the foul line.
Owens led the Patriots (24-12) with a double-double of 20 points and 10 boards, with Carter also tallying 20 points. Tre Boutilier chipped in with 14 points.
The Evangels' NAIA Fab Four matchup against either Campbellsville (Ky.) or Carroll (Mont.) will take place on Monday evening (Mar. 21) at 6 p.m.
