Evangel hosts Avila
Thursday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Ashcroft Center* Springfield, Mo.
The Crusaders are 7-1 overall and 2-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Evangel has won its last seven games, after a stunning 81-79 loss at College of the Ozarks to open the season. EU led the entire game until a last-second C of O 3-pointer. The Crusaders are ranked No. 6 on the NAIA II preseason poll. The results for EU’s entire season are listed in the left-hand column.
Avila is 4-5 overall and 1-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. In conference action, the Eagles lost 67-59 at home vs. Benedictine on Nov. 29 and defeated Baker 78-70 on Dec. 1. Most recently, the Eagles lost 74-62 at the University of St. Mary (Kans.) on Dec. 3.
Evangel defeated visiting Culver-Stockton 72-54 on Dec. 1. The Crusaders made 54.2 percent of their field goals to Culver-Stockton’s 44.9 percent, led the rebounding 40-30 and had five fewer turnovers (20-15). Evangel made 15 of 22 free throws (.682) and Culver-Stockton connected on 5 of 9 (.556).
The Crusaders’ Jackson Capel (18 points), Shane Nicholson (13), Todd Simon (11) and Jordan Chapman (10) scored in double figures. T.Simon led the rebounding with nine caroms and Nicholson added five rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block to his stats.
Jordan Harris led the Culver-Stockton Wildcats with 17 points. Brice Fantazia came off the bench to score 12. Chris Booth led all players with 10 rebounds.
The Crusaders’ starting post, Tim Dial, has been diagnosed with mononucleuosis and will miss the next two games (Dec. 6 vs. Avila, Dec. 11 vs. College of the Ozarks) and perhaps the Southwest Baptist game on Dec. 18. At this point, it is uncertain when he will return to the lineup.
Evangel leads the series 32-15.
er the last 21 games, EU is 21-2 vs. the Eagles and both losses were at home (64-59 on 11-18-04, 68-63 on 12-6-03). Evangel has won the last five meetings, including both of last season’s games (Jan. 25 at home 72-56, Feb. 5 in Kansas City 79-60).
In Ashcroft Center Evangel has a 16-8 advantage and has won 11 of the last 13 meetings in Springfield. During the 2005-06 season, Evangel defeated Avila 68-64 at home on Jan. 19, 2006, to stop a two-game Avila winning streak in Ashcroft. Avila defeated Evangel 64-59 (Nov. 18, 2004) and 68-63 (Dec. 6, 2003). Prior to losing those two contests, Evangel had won nine home games in a row versus Avila.
Evangel is led by Steve Jenkins, who begins his 26th season as the head coach in 2007-08. Jenkins (Evangel, 1974) has a 450-348 record in 26 seasons at the Crusader helm. Jenkins won his 450th game on Dec. 1 vs. Culver-Stockton in Ashcroft Center, 72-54.
Avila’s head coach is Anthony Hall. Hall (Southeast Missouri, 1987) began his fourth season at Avila in 2007-08 and has a 39-62 record.
EU junior Jackson Capel scored 11 points versus Central Methodist on Nov. 29 to reach the 1,000-point plateau. He has scored 1,028 points during his career. Capel is the 26th Crusader to score 1,000 points in a career. The list includes current teammates Tim Dial (1,391) and Todd Simon (1,104).
From the 3-point arc, Capel has scored 201 career treys. He needs 30 more 3-pointers to break the record of 230 set by Grant Curtis (2000-04). Capel is the fourth Crusader to score 200 or more treys in a career.
Evangel’s Jackson Capel ranks No. 6 in 3-point field goal percentage (57.4, 31-54) and No. 9 in 3-point field goals made per game (3.9).
The Crusaders are No. 6 in scoring defense (58.8), No. 7 in 3-point field goal percentage (43.4), and No. 10 in field goal percentage (51.0).
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 All In Broadcasting. 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.