Lady Crusaders Beat UMSL 79-65

 

Topeka, Kan. – Evangel earned a 79-65 win over the University of Missouri at St. Louis Saturday to complete a 2-0 weekend in the Washburn Thanksgiving Classic.

 

Crusaders forward Caitlin Russell scored a season high 24 points and connected on four 3-points goals to lead all scorers. Kara Blankenship added 17 points and six rebounds for Evangel.

 

Evangel led 38-32 at the half and added to a four point lead when Randall Van Kempen scored on a lay-up just before the buzzer to end the first half.

 

The Crusaders (6-2) led by as much as 24 points in the second half before the Tritons (1-4) rallied to within 10 in the final two minutes. Evangel shot 65 percent from the floor in the second half on 13 of 20 shooting.

 

Both Evangel wins in the Washburn Classic came over NCAA-II teams.

 

The Lady Crusaders open Heart of America conference play on Tuesday when they play at Baker University on Tuesday at 5:30 p,m.