Lady Crusaders host William Jewell

January 16, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282

Game 15
Evangel hosts William Jewell
5:30 p.m. January 17
Ashcroft Center: Springfield, Mo.

Evangel Radio Broadcast and Webcast
ESPN Radio (KGMY, 1400 AM)
www.allinbroadcasting.com
Play-by-play: Ed Beach
Color Commentary: Leslie Callison

The Records, Recent Game

Evangel is 5-9 overall and 2-4 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play. The Lady Crusaders won 63-60 at Missouri Valley on Jan. 12. EU overcame a 37.2 field goal percentage (MV was .420) and a rebound deficit, 44-23, to win the game. Missouri Valley tallied 29 turnovers to EU’s 20. Brianna Mingus led Evangel with 20 points and four steals. Caitlin Russell came off the bench to score 14 points.

William Jewell is 13-4 overall, 6-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and ranked No. 14 in NAIA II on today’s (Jan. 16) poll. The Lady Cardinals’ only conference loss was at home to Benedictine on Dec. 4 by a 70-62 score. William Jewell has won seven in a row now, including a 66-64 home victory versus Central Methodist on Jan. 12. Hillary Adams led WJC with 17 points and Eric Ferguson added 16 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

Coaching the Game

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 296-154 record at Evangel. He needs only four more wins to reach 300. Neal (Evangel, 1989) has directed six of his teams to Heart of America Athletic Conference championships and the EU ladies have advanced to the NAIA II national tournament six times with Neal at the helm (1996, 2001-05).

William Jewell is led by Jill Cress. Cress (Northwestern College, Iowa, 1993). She has a 234-138 record. Cress-led William Jewell teams have been to the NAIA II national tournament four of the last six years (2002, 2003, 2005, 2007).

The Series vs. William Jewell

Evangel leads the series with William Jewell, 39-26. During the 2006-07 season, Evangel won 71-69 in overtime at William Jewell and William Jewell won 61-57 in Sringfield.

At home Evangel holds a 19-10 series advantage. During the 2005-06 season, William Jewell won at Evangel, 59-47 on Dec. 16, to stop a five-game home winning streak by Evangel. Last season, William Jewell again won at EU (61-57). Prior to the five-game winning streak in Ashcroft, EU lost 57-52 at home to William Jewell on Feb. 1, 2001, to stop a 10-game winning streak by Evangel.

Lady Crusader Notes

• Michelle Michener is ranked No. 1 in NAIA II assist/turnover ration (3.50). Michener has seven assists and two turnovers.
• Brianna Mingus had made 26 straight free throws, heading into the Jan. 12th game at Missouri Valley. She made the first three, but missed the next charity toss, to end the streak at 29 straight. She is 39 of 44 overall (.886), and ranked No. 5 in NAIA II free throw shooting.
• Megan Jewell made 10 of 10 free throws vs. Missouri Southern on Dec. 19 to tie the school record (10 min.).
• Evangel ranks No. 8 in NAIA II 3-point field goal percentage defense, allowing its opponents to make just 26.3 percent of their tries.

William Jewell and NAIA II Stats

• The Lady Cardinals are ranked No. 4 in scoring defense (52.9), No. 8 in 3-point field goal defense (.263), and No. 9 in turnover margin (6.556).

HAAC Standings thru 1-10-08

Rank	Team	Conference Record	Overall Record
1	Benedictine	7-0	15-2
2	William Jewell	7-1	14-4
3	MidAmerica Nazarene	6-1	11-6
4	Baker	4-3	9-8
5	Graceland	4-4	10-6
	Lindenwood	4-4	8-8
	Missouri Valley	4-4	7-8
8	Evangel	2-4	5-9
9	Avila	2-6	6-11
	Central Methodist	2-6	6-11
11	Culver-Stockton	0-9	4-12