Tuesday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.
Meyer Sports Center Bolivar, Mo.
The Crusaders are 9-1. Evangel has won its last nine games, since losing 81-79 at College of the Ozarks to open the season. EU led the entire game until a lastsecond C of O 3-pointer by Daniel Bandy. The Crusaders are ranked No. 5 on the Dec. 12 NAIA II poll. Evangel avenged its earlier loss to College of the Ozarks in the Crusaders’ most recent game. EU defeated the C of O Bobcats, 70-53, in Ashcroft Center on Dec. 11. Evangel’s schedule and results are listed in the left-hand column.
The Southwest Baptist University Bearcats are 5-2 and have won their last three games. SBU’s two losses were to nationally ranked teams. Drury (No. 8) defeated SBU 92-82in Springfield on Nov. 17 in the season opener and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (No. 13) won 76-74 in Weatherford, Okla., in the SWOSU Athletic Association Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 24. SBU’s first game in the classic at SWOSU resulted in an 80-77 victory over a nationally ranked team. The Bearcats defeated Central Oklahoma (No. 17) 80-77.
Evangel’s starting post player, Tim Dial, was diagnosed with mononucleosis prior to EU’s home game vs. Avila on Dec. 6. It is uncertain when he will return to the lineup.
The Crusaders won their ninth straight game and avenged a season opening loss by defeating area rival College of the Ozarks, 70-53, in Ashcroft Center on Dec. 11. C of O had upset Evangel 81-79 in Pt. Lookout, Mo., on a last-second 3-pointer by Daniel Bandy.
This time the Crusaders didn’t blow a 14-point lead in the second half, like they did in the first meeting. Instead, EU utilized its defense, Todd Simon’s talents and some bench help from Spud Harbour to hold off C of O.
Evangel hit at a 43.6 clip, including 7 of 16 shooting from the 3- point arc (43.8), and held the visiting Bobcats to a 34.4 percentage, which includes a 28.0 trey percentage (7-25).
Todd Simon recorded the eighty double-double of his career with a 20- point, 11-rebound performance. He made 8 of 14 from the field and also blocked two shots.
With EU’s top scorer Jackson Capel netting just a little over his average (12 points) due to being closely guarded, Spud Harbour came off the bench to score 11 points on four of five accuracy (3-4 treys).
Shane Nicholson added six assists and Joel Brown had four scoring passes to aid the EU shooters.
The Bearcats defeated Quincy (Ill.) University in Bolivar, Mo., 86-77, on Dec. 8. The game was tied, 46-46, at halfime, but the Bearcats outscored Quincy, 40-31, to claim the nine-point victory. Southwest Baptist’s shooters made 47.5 percent of their field goals. Included in that percentage is 10 of 20 marksmanship from the 3-point arc. At the line, the Bearcats also had their sights fixed accurately on the hoop, making 18 of 25 (.72.0). SBU held Quincy to a 44.4 field goal percentage, which includes 8 of 26 gunning from 3-point range (.308). SBU also controlled the rebounding, 41-37.
Jim Grabowski led the Bears with 28 points. He made 11 of 18 field goals (4-4 treys) and both free throws. Grabowski also contributed seven rebounds and five assists. Matthew Rogers had a double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Rogers also had seven blocks. Brandon Burgette and Tristan Steele came off the bench to score 16 and 11 points, respectively. Burgette also dished out seven assists.
Evangel is led by Steve Jenkins, who begins his 26th season as the head coach in 2007-08. Jenkins (Evangel, 1974) has a 452-348 record in 26 seasons at the Crusader helm. Jenkins won his 450th game on Dec. 1 vs. Culver-Stockton in Ashcroft Center, 72-54.
Southwest Baptist is led by Jeff Guiot in his fourth year. Guiot (Pittsburg State, 1987) has a 64-32 record in his four seasons at SBU. Prior to coming to SBU, Guiot was the head coach at Bemidji (Minn.) State for three years (54-33). He also was the head mentor at Neosho County (Kans.) for seven seasons (164-60).
Southwest Baptist leads the series 37-17, however, Evangel has won the last three games. SBU and EU last met during the 2003-04 season. Evangel won that game in Bolivar, 77-63 (12- 20-03), The teams then met in the 2000-01 Drury Thanksgiving Classic. Evangel prevailed 81-74 (11-24-00). The most recent game prior to these two contests was a Feb. 13 game in 1986. Evangel won the game by two points, 55-53, in Ashcroft Center.
Senior EU forward Todd Simon scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds vs. College of the Ozarks on Dec. 11. The double-double is the 12th of his career and his first in 2007-08.
EU junior Jackson Capel scored 11 points versus Central Methodist on Nov. 29 to reach the 1,000-point plateau. He has scored 1,077 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 (1,130).
From the 3-point arc, Jackson Capel has scored 210 career treys. He needs 21 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.
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.