Game 11
#17 Evangel University “Crusaders” (6-4) vs.
# 1 Huntington University “Foresters” (13-2)
Thursday, December 21, 6 p.m.
Merillat Complex * Huntington, Ind.
Radio: ESPN Radio 1400 AM (KGMY, Springfield)
Webcast: www.allinbroadcasting.com
Series: Huntington leads, 1-0
The Crusaders will step out of Heart of America Athletic Conference play to meet non-conference foe Huntington (Ind.) University on Thursday, Dec. 21. Game time is 7 p.m. in Huntington’s Merillat Complex. On the second NAIA II poll of the year, the Huntington Foresters are ranked No. 1 and Evangel is ranked No. 17.
After dropping two games in a row, the Crusaders began to rediscover the formula for winning with a 95-73 victory over visiting Graceland on Dec. 9. Evangel (6-4) made 59.3 percent of its field goals to Graceland’s 54.9 percent, however, the Crusaders hit the target more often and took more shots from 3-point range. Evangel made 11 of 22 treys to Graceland’s 2 of 6. Shane Nicholson led EU with 24 points and six assists. He made 8 of his 11 field goals, including five of six 3-pointers, and connected on all three free throws attempted. Jerod Floyd came off the bench to score 17 points, making five of six from the floor (4-5 treys) and all three charity tosses. Tim Dial was perfect on five field goals and two free throws to score 12 points. In addition to Floyd, Jackson Capel and Chad Simon came off the bench to score 11 and 10 points respectively. The 10 points are a career-high for Simon and his six rebounds led the Crusaders to a 32-26 rebounding advantage.
The No. 1-ranked Foresters suffered their second loss of the season on Dec. 16, losing 74-69 at Georgetown ( Ky.), however, they bounced back to win 94-88 at No. 9 Cedarville ( Ohio) University on Dec. 19. Huntington made 68 percent of its second-half shots to pull away from Cedarville. Both teams had 36 rebounds and only nine turnovers each. Alex Kock led Huntington with a double-double, scoring 36 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Kyle Ganton and Doug Sheckler each added 21 points. Huntington is now 13-2 and ranked No. 1 on the Dec. 13 NAIA II poll.
Evangel will head to Florida and play in the Warner Southern College Tournament in Lake Wales on Dec. 29-30. Evangel will meet Indiana University South Bend on Friday, Dec. 29, at 5 p.m. (Central Time). On Saturday, Dec. 30, Evangel will play either the host, Warner Southern, or Grand View College ( Iowa), depending on the outcome of the games on the 29th.
Huntington University is located in Huntington, Indiana, approximately 75 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Huntington was founded in 1897. Basketball has been played at the university since 1921. Huntington’s enrollment is 1,016. The mascot is the Foresters and dark green and red are the school colors. Huntington is a Mid-Central College Conference member.
Huntington leads the series 1-0. The two teams met for the first time last season. EU and HU played in the second round of the NAIA II national tournament at College of the Ozarks in Pt. Lookout, Mo. Huntington won 104-93. The Foresters then advanced to the championship game of the NAIA II national tourney, where they lost 74-56 to host College of the Ozarks in the championship game.
Evangel is directed by head coach Steve Jenkins (Evangel, 1974). Jenkins begins his 25th season in 2006-07 and has a 429-338 record.
Steve Platt is Huntington’s head coach. Platt is 290-130 in 13 years.
Three EU players established new personal season highs in EU’s 95-73 victory over Graceland on Dec. 9. All three players came off the bench.
For the fifth year in a row, all Evangel University men’s basketball games will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio (KGMY, 1400 AM).
All Evangel men’s games are also webcast by the Evangel men’s (and women’s) 2006-07 Internet broadcast partner, All In Broadcasting at www.allinbroadcasting.com. The postgame show will provide a complete recap of each game and it is sponsored by the Assemblies of God Credit Union. Evangel’s Internet partner is Best Western - Deerfield Inn.
Ed Beach, Evangel director of broadcasting and marketing for athletics, will handle the play-by-play duties as the “Voice of the Crusaders” for the fifth season in a row.