Evangel hosts Avila University
Thursday, Dec. 6, 5:30 p.m.
Ashcroft Center* Springfield, Mo.
Evangel is 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The EU women have won two of their last four contests. The Lady Crusaders are coming off a 75-60 home victory over Culver-Stockton on Dec. 1. EU’s complete schedule with results is in the left-hand column of this page.
Avila is 4-7 overall and 0-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Lady Eagles have lost four of their last five games and have dropped the last two. The last two losses were to conference opponents Benedictine (74-63 at home on Nov. 29) and Baker (73-66 in Baldwin City, Kans., on Dec. 1).
Evangel leads the series with Avila, 28-6 and had won 17 prior to losing twice to Avila last season. During the 2006-07 season, Avila defeated EU 62-49 in Springfield on Jan.25 and won 56-55 in Kansas City on Feb. 5. Prior to the 17-game EU winning streak, the Lady Crusaders’ hadn’t lost to Avila since dropping a 55-48 decision in Kansas City on Dec. 3, 1991. In Ashcroft Center, the Lady Crusaders hold a 13-3 advantage and, prior to last season’s 13-point loss to the Lady Eagles in Ashcroft Center, EU had won the last nine games at home vs. Avila.
Whitney Pollard, Evangel’s starting post player, is sick with the flu. She is not expected to return to the squad for practice until Dec. 13 at the earliest.
Evangel won 75-60 against Culver-Stockton in Ashcroft Center on Dec. 1. The EU ladies were up 34-27 at the half and outscored Culver-Stockton 41-33 in the second half. The C-SC Wildcats missed all nine of their 3-point attempts, while EU was banging in 10 of 26 from the 3-point arc. At the line, Evangel players missed just two of 17 free throws (.882) and C-SC players made 22 of 30 (.733). EU also led the rebounding, 41-35, and had fewer turnovers, 18-22.
Five EU players scored in double figures - Megan Jewell (17), Brianna Mingus (12), Luko Ashlee (11), Russell Caitlin (11), and Kelsie Hargus (10). Katie Burger and Kate Prentice led the rebounding with eight and seven rebounds, respectively. Jewell had the hot hand, hitting 7 of 10 field goals, including 2 of 3 treys, and 1 of 2 free throws. Burger was accurate on all five free throw attempts.
Four Culver-Stockton players scored in double figures - Alysa Strikland (16 points, 11 rebounds), Kristin Allen (13), Jamai Letcher (12), and Libby Cottey (10). Strickland recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Eagles traveled to Baker in Baldwin City, Kans., on Dec. 1 and lost 73-66. Baker led 35-33 at the intermission and outscored Avila 38-33 in the second half. Turnovers and 3-point shooting were the difference as Avila committed 20 miscues to Baker’s 13. Baker made 9 of 23 3-pointers (39.1) and Avila connected on 6 of 22 (27.3). Avila led the shooting percentage (40.7 to 39.1), was better at the line (75.0, 12-16) to 66.7, 10-15) and had two more rebounds, 40-38.
Ashley Townsend recorded a double-double in the game with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Townsend made 8 of 14 from the floor, including 4 of 7 from behind the 3-point arc, and scored on three of four charity tosses. Sarah Parker added 13 points and Alyson Young contributed 10 points and nine rebounds.
Scoring: Brianna Mingus (10.0 - first double-figure scoring average this season), Kelsie Hargus (8.5), Megan Jewell (8.5), Katie Burger (8.0)
Rebounding: Kate Prentice (5.0), Katie Burger (4.0)
Assists: Melissa Hogan (3.2), Brianna Mingus (2.3)
Steals: Melissa Hogan (2.2)
FG%: Kelsie Hargus (50.0, 18-36)
3FG%: Kelsie Hargus (47.1, 8-17), Caitlin Russell (38.5, 10-26)
FT%: Katie Burger (76.2, 16-21)
Scoring: Ashley Townsend (15.7), Jaime Kenney (15.4), Sarah Parker (10.6)
Rebounding: Alyson Young (6.6), Ashley Townsend (6.4), Jaime Kenney (6.1)
Assists: Emily Hoskins (5.2)
Steals: Sarah Parker (1.6)
FG%:Ashley Townsend (51.6, 65-126)
3FG%: Jaime Kenney (50.0, 20-40)
FT%: Jordan Palin (94.3, 33-35), Jaime Kenney (87.5, 42-48)
Evangel is led by Leon Neal. Neal began his 14th year as EU’s head women’s basketball coach in 2007-08 and has a 293-149 record at Evangel. Neal (Evangel, 1989) has guided six of his teams to conference championships and the EU ladies have advanced to the NAIA II national tournament six times with Neal at the helm.
Avila’s head coach is Larry Williams (Central Missouri, 1969). Williams is in his second year as the head coach for the Lady Eagles and has a 22-20 record at Avila. Williams is beginning his 25th year as a basketball coach in 2007-08. He was an assistant women’s basketball coach at William Jewell for seven seasons before coming to Avila. Prior to his stint at William Jewell, Williams coached basketball at the high school level for 16 years and put together a 268-164 record.