Evangel at Graceland
January 4, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282
Game 14
No. 5 Evangel at Graceland
4 p.m. January 5
Closson Center: Lamoni, Iowa
Evangel Radio Broadcast and Webcast
ESPN Radio (KGMY, 1400 AM)
www.allinbroadcasting.com
Play-by-play: Ed Beach
Evangel’s Record
The Crusaders are 10-3 overall, 3-0 vs. Heart of America Athletic Conference foes, and ranked No. 5 in NAIA II. Evangel. Evangel split its games in the Bethany University Christmas Classic on Dec. 28-29 in Scotts Valley, Calif.
Evangel lost a hard-fought game vs. Biola University on Dec. 28 by one point, 66-65. Neither team had a lead of more than seven points in the game. Biola led by a point (66-65) with 30 seconds left, but EU was unable to get off a shot. Jackson Capel exploded for 34 points, hitting 8 of 11 3s and all eight of his free throws. The Simon brothers, Chad and Todd, added 12 and 10 points, respectively. Todd led the Crusaders’ rebounding with six boards.
On Dec. 29, Evangel defeated host Bethany, 90-63. This time it was Shane Nicholson and Joel Brown’s time to shine. Nicholson led the Crusaders with 24 points. He made 10 of 13 field goals, including 3 of 4 treys, and missed one of two free throws, and gathered five rebounds. Brown scored a career-high 15 points on perfect marksmanship. He made all six field goals, both 3-point field goals he attempted, and nailed his only free throw attempted. Josh Kleine led EU’s board work with six rebounds and Todd Simon had five.
Graceland’s Record
The Yellowjackets are 3-10 overall and 0-4 against Heart of America Athletic Conference opponents. Graceland lost a tough one, 74-71, at Baker on Jan. 3 in overtime. In other conference games, Graceland lost at Culver-Stockton on Nov. 13 (58-45), at home to Central Methodist on Dec. 6 (70-67) and at home to Missouri Valley on Dec. 13 (81-76).
Versus Baker last night (Jan. 3), Graceland was led by Mike Malat’s 22 points. Malat made 3 of 6 treys, all five free throws, and grabbed five rebounds. Simon Morefield scored 14 points on 7 of 9 shooting from the field and also controlled six rebounds.
Dial Out With Mono
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 Coaches
Evangel is led by Steve Jenkins, who begins his 26th season as the head coach in 2007-08. Jenkins (Evangel, 1974) has a 453-350 record in 26 seasons at the Crusader helm. Jenkins won his 450th game on Dec. 1 vs. Culver-Stockton in Ashcroft Center, 72-54.
Graceland is led by Ted Quinn (Mount Marty, 1997) in his third year. Quinn is 19-52 at Graceland.
Todd Simon Earns Double-Double
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.
Three Crusaders on 1000-Point List
EU junior Jackson Capel scored 11 points versus Central Methodist on Nov. 29 to reach the 1,000-point plateau. He has scored 1,144 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 (1,152)
Capel Closing in on 3-Point Mark
From the 3-point arc, Jackson Capel has scored 222 career treys. He needs nine 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.
Series Record vs. Graceland
Evangel leads the series 37-7 and has won the last four meetings. EU defeated Graceland 95-73 at home on Dec. 9 and 92-79 in Lamoni on Feb. 3 of last season. During the 2005-06 season, Evangel won 77-56 at Graceland on Jan.14 and 86-73 at at home on Feb. 18. EU’s four-game winning streak came to an end during the 2004-05 season when EU lost, 79-70, at Graceland on Feb. 19.
EU and Graceland first met during the 1959-60 season and EU won both games in Lamoni, Iowa. The teams didn’t play again until 1988 and Graceland’s won at Evangel.
| Rank | Team | Conference Record |
Overall Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Jewell | 4-0 | 8-6 |
| 2 | MidAmerica Nazarene | 3-0 | 13-0 |
| 3 | Evangel | 3-0 | 10-3 |
| 4 | Benedictine | 3-1 | 8-5 |
| 5 | Lindenwood | 2-2 | 8-6 |
| 6 | Central Methodist | 2-2 | 6-7 |
| 7 | Missouri Valley | 1-2 | 1-11 |
| 8 | Baker | 1-3 | 4-9 |
| Culver-Stockton | 1-3 | 4-9 | |
| 10 | Avila | 1-4 | 4-9 |
| 11 | Graceland | 0-4 | 3-10 |