KANSAS CITY – One. More. Win. That's all that's standing between the fourth-seeded and No. 14-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels from their first ever Buffalo Funds-NAIA National Championship after fighting off the Campbellsville University (Ky.) Tigers 93-89 in the NAIA Fab Four tonight (Mar. 21) inside the historic Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
The victory advances the Evangels to the NAIA National Title game tomorrow night (Mar. 22) against the winner of Georgetown (Ky.) and MidAmerica Nazarene.
"What an effort from our group vs. a very good and well coached Campbellsville team," MACU head coach Josh Gamblin said. "The credit goes 100 % to our guys, they played their hearts out and figured it out down the stretch."
After watching the Tigers erase a 16-point deficit to take a four-point lead at the 8:12 mark of the second half, the Evangels scratched and clawed and regained the lead 82-81 behind buckets from Malcolm Mann and Nick Tate with 5:35 remaining.
Sekou Harris then briefly put the Tigers back on top with two free throws, but a turnover led to a game-tying layup by Mann on the other end and two free throws by Devonse Reed made it 87-85 Evangels at the 2:08 mark.
The Evangels wouldn't trail again, but the Tigers weren't through and tied the score two more times until Bryon Miller carved out a spot inside and scored the go-ahead shot with nine seconds remaining.
It was a hectic final nine seconds, as the Evangels got a stop but had to withstand two misses at the foul line that gave Campbellsville a chance to tie or win with a three.
But the Tigers' inbound pass sailed out of bounds, giving valuable possession back to the Evangels.
Nick Tate then finished things at the charity stripe for the Evangels with two clutch free throws.
In the opening half, the Evangels threatened to take out any lasting drama by going on a 21-4 run that turned a two-point deficit into a 52-37 lead with 4:06 left.
Reed started the spurt with a three-point play that gave the Evangels the lead and Miller hit two threes and scored eight points to key the burst.
Ex'Zavia Seaton and Jerrick Massenburge also connected from beyond the arc during the push and the Evangels went on to a 55-44 lead into the break.
Reed led the Evangels (27-9) with a career-high 30 points and Miller had a double-double of 16 points and career-best 12 rebounds. Mann had 14 points and team-high seven assists, with Tate adding 11 points for the Evangels.
Harris was the high scorer for the Tigers (25-11) with 30 points and Dii'jon Allen-Jordan recorded a double-double of 25 points and 12 boards.
Looking ahead to the title game tomorrow night, the Evangels haven't faced Georgetown but have played MidAmerica Nazarene twice this season, splitting the two games. MACU fell 105-89 on the road in the first meeting against MNU but rebounded in a big way, winning 107-73 at home in the second matchup.
The game will be broadcast live tomorrow night on ESPN3, with tip-off set for 7:02 p.m.
