Game 8
Evangel vs. MidAmerica Nazarene
Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m.
Cook Center Bell Family Arena
Olathe , Kans.
Go to the basketball broadcast page
The game between the Lady Crusaders and MidAmerica Nazarene will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1400 AM (KGMY). The contest is one of two regular season games that will be carried live on KGMY - in addition to all of the Lady Crusaders’ postseason games. The other regular season game that will be broadcast live is the Jan. 23 contest at area rival College of the Ozarks.
With the exception of three road trips, all Lady Crusader games are carried on the Internet by All In Broadcasting at www.allinbroadcasting.com. The games at the Missouri Southern classic on Nov. 24-25 were not webcast and the contests on the Florida trip (Northwood on Dec. 19 and Lynn on Dec. 21) and the Oklahoma trip (Oral Roberts’ exhibition on Dec. 29, Southern Nazarene on Dec. 30) will not be carried on the Internet.
The Evangel women have a tough challenge facing them when they play at MidAmerica Nazarene on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m., in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game.
The Lady Pioneers of MidAmerica Nazarene have won their last eight games in a row, boast a 9-1 overall record and 2-0 conference mark, and are ranked No. 5 in NAIA II on the first top-25 poll of the year. The lone blemish on MNU’s record is a one-point loss to NAIA I powerhouse Southern Nazarene, 76-75. MidAmerica was ranked No. 10 on the NAIA II preseason poll.
Evangel is struggling to find the right combination on the floor and is 1-6 overall and 1-2 in league action. The Lady Crusaders lost their first three games of the year, before winning 67-56 at Culver-Stockton. And, although EU has lost its last three, the Lady Crusaders took No. 16-ranked (NAIA II preseason) Benedictine into overtime before losing, 77-66.
The Lady Crusaders surprised visiting Benedictine on Dec. 2 with an overtime game. The BC Lady Ravens were ranked No. 16 on the NAIA II preseason poll, however, the EU ladies were down by only three at the half, 35-32, and rallied in the second half to tie the score, 61-61, at the end of regulation. Benedictine, however, owned the extra 5-minute period, outscoring EU 16-5 to win 77-66. Kristin Metzger scored 15 points and had nine rebounds. Brianna Mingus added 13 points and four assists. Both players came off the bench for the Lady Crusaders. Heidi Kalsbeck added 11 points, controlled seven boards, and blocked three shots. Rachel Damanskis had a balanced game with nine points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block.
MidAmerica Nazarene is currently 9-1 and the Lady Pioneers have run off eight wins in a row. The loss was to NAIA I power Southern Nazarene by one point, 76-75. After a No. 10 ranking on the NAIA II preaseason poll, MNU has moved up to No. 5 on the first NAIA II poll of the year (Dec. 6).
MNU’s most recent game was on Dec. 2 at Culver-Stockton and resulted in a 76-62 win. MidAmerica Nazarene had a 47-23 advantage at the half, however, Culver-Stockton stormed back to outscore MNU 39-29 in the second half. Jenna Matson scored 19 for MNU and Ashley Patterson had a double-double, scoring 18 and pulling down 13 rebounds. Aubrey Clair added 12 points and Jessica Gray came off the bench to score 11.
The Lady Crusaders lead the series with MidAmerica Nazarene, 36-8, however, MNU won both games last season. MidAmerica Nazarene defeated Evangel 53-32 in Olathe, Kansas, and 64-56 in Springfield.
Evangel has an 11-3 series advantage over the last 14 games. In addition to last season’s losses, the EU ladies also lost to MNU 61-56 at home on Feb. 19, 2004.
In Olathe, Evangel has a 16-5 mark. Prior to last year’s loss at MNU, Evangel had reeled off five straight wins.
Evangel is led by Leon Neal (Evangel, 1989). Neal has a 284-130 record in 13 years.
Bill Olin is in his 8th year as the MidAmerica Nazarene head coach. Olin has a 153-83 mark at MNU.
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MidAmerica Nazarene | 9-1 |
| 2 | Avila | 7-2 |
| William Jewell | 7-2 | |
| 4 | Graceland | 7-2 |
| 5 | Benedictine | 8-3 |
| 6 | Lindenwood | 2-4 |
| Missouri Valley | 2-5 | |
| 8 | Evangel | 1-6 |
| 9 | Baker | 6-5 |
| 10 | Central Methodist | 2-7 |
| 11 | Culver-Stockton | 2-7 |
Four Evangel players achieved new season and/or career highs versus Benedictine on Dec. 2
Evangel will host Graceland University ( Lamoni, Iowa) on Saturday, Dec. 9, in Ashcroft Center. The Heart of America Athletic Conference game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.