Chickasha, Okla. – Imani Edwards scored as time expired to give the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Drovers a dramatic 86-85 win over the No. 10-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels in Sooner Athletic Conference action tonight (Jan. 16) in Chickasha, Okla.
Edwards' game-winner capped a stunning 19-point rally and gave USAO its first lead since the 18:15 mark of the first half.
Following a layup by Tyler Chaisson that put the Evangels up 68-49, Brian Robinson scored 10 points, including consecutive threes that finished a 21-4 burst and suddenly made it a 2-point game with 7:15 remaining.
The Evangels held off the Drovers temporarily, as a three by Olajuwon Garner pushed the lead back to six and then a jumper and two free throws by Devonse Reed still had MACU up 85-80 at the 2:04 mark.
From there, two free throws by Taran Buie and a layup from Julius Foster trimmed the lead to one with seven seconds left.
The Drovers then fouled Reed, who missed the first free throw in a one and one situation and allowed Edwards to drive the length of the court and beat the buzzer with the winning bucket.
MACU led the majority of the game and really took control late in the first half by outscoring the Drovers 14-3 during the final 3:03 of the half to carry a 58-42 lead into the locker room.
Reed led the Evangels (12-6, 3-3 SAC) with 23 points, while Chaisson scored 18 and pulled down seven rebounds.
Garner added 17 points and Macolm Mann had 10 points along with a team-high seven assists. Ex'Zavia Seaton scored nine and also had seven boards for MACU.
Buie and Brendan Chapman each scored 19 to lead the Drovers (7-10, 2-4 SAC), with Foster scoring 18 points and a team-best seven assists.
Robinson scored 10 points and Greg Foster had a game-high nine rebounds for USAO.
It was a tale of two halves shooting the ball, as the Evangels shot 55.6 percent in the opening half, compared to 36.4 percent for the Drovers. But in the second half, USAO warmed up to a 48.6 percent clip, while MACU cooled off to shoot only 42.9 percent.
The Evangels will next play Thursday night (Jan. 19) at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Tip-off is slated for 8 pm in Waxahachie, Texas.
