OKLAHOMA CITY - For the first time since 2009, the Mid-America Christian University men's basketball team welcomed the Randall University Saints to the Gaulke Activity Center. In front of a raucous crowd, the teams battled fiercely, and when the dust settled, MACU had claimed their second win of the season.
MACU (2-0) overcame a 33-31 halftime deficit to grab the win over Randall (0-2) 87-80.
The Evangels struck first, but a 9-0 run from Randall gave the Saints a 15-6 lead with 14:35 to play in the first half. MACU answered with a 10-0 run to reclaim the lead at 22-21 with 7:11 left in the half. but with the score tied at 24, a free throw from EJ Trevino put Randall back on top with 4:51 to play, and the Saints led the rest of the half. At the intermission, Randall held the lead, but it was a slim 33-31 margin.
MACU drew even, and then eased in front 40-39 on a pair of Khalil Thompson free throws with 16:46 to go in the game, but the Evangels were unable to get much separation from Randall. The lead bounced back and forth for much of the second half, but a 7-0 run late gave Randall a 72-65 lead with 4:26 to go in the game. MACU answered with an 8-0 run to claim a 73-72 lead. As the game remained close and the clock ticked down, MACU used an 8-2 spurt to claim the lead at 82-76, and the Evangels led for the rest of the night. Randall closed the gap to 82-80 with 28 seconds to play, but MACU scored the final five points of the game at the foul line, and the Evangels took the win 87-80.
Thompson led the Evangels in scoring for the second straight game, as he poured in 24 points, including an impressive 11-for-12 effort from the foul line. Justin Bogle added 16 points, and Will Gibbons scored 10 points and grabbed a team leading six rebounds. Thompson dished out five assists as well.
MACU made 27-of-62 (43.5%) from the field, and 9-of 33 (27.3%) from beyond the arc. At the foul line, MACU connected on 24-of-30 (80%) tries. MACU forced 22 Randall turnovers in the game, and the Evangels had 10 steals as a team.
MACU will be back on the floor on Saturday afternoon when they welcom the Mustangs of the University of the Southwest (N.M.) Mustangs (1-1). The game is scheduled to tip-off at 4 p.m.
