January 30, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282
Game 22
No. 4 Evangel vs. Avila
7:30 p.m. January 31
Mabee Field House: Kansas City, Mo.
Evangel Radio Broadcast and Webcast
ESPN Radio (KGMY, 1400 AM)
www.allinbroadcasting.com
Play-by-play: Ed Beach
With a near-full Ashcroft Center as the stage, No. 3 Evangel and No. 4 MidAmerica Nazarene scrapped for 40 minutes before EU emerged the winner. Evangel, thanks to a strong second half, defeated the visiting Pioneers, 79-65.
The Crusaders were able to hold an
advantage in almost every stat
category. EU had a better field goal
percentage (.462 to .377), better 3-point
percentage (.452, 6-13 to .333, 6-18) and
had a good night at the line (.813, 13-16
to .765, 13-17). Evangel also controlled
the boards, 44-34, and had fewer
turnovers, 17-20. EU capitalized on the
MNU turnovers, outscoring MNU 20-9
and EU’s bench proved stronger that
night, scoring 23 points to MNU’s 7.
Jackson Capel scored 20 points to lead Evangel, hitting 4-of-8 3-pointers. The night, however, belonged to EU point guard Shane Nicholson. He scored 19 points, dished out eight assists, grabbed four rebounds, and had two steals. In addition, he didn’t miss a shot. Nicholson made 7of 7 field goals (1-1 3-pointers) and all four free throw tries. Tim Dial came off the bench to score 10 points. Todd Simon was EU’s top rebounder with nine.
MidAmerica Nazarene was led by Adam Hepker’s 20 points. Danny Hawkins logged a double-double, scoring 19 points and bringing down 11 rebounds. Andrew Crotty grabbed 13 rebounds to lead both teams.
Avila defeated Baker, 83-72, in the Eagles’ Mabee Field House on Jan. 26. Avila stats were not available.
Evangel leads the series 33-15 and defeated Avila 88-57 in the Ashcroft Center on Dec. 6 of this season. Over the last 24 games, EU is 22-2 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 six meetings.
The Crusaders have won 13 consecutive games against Avila in Kansas City and EU has a 15-7 series advantage in K.C.
| Rank | Team | Conference Record |
Overall Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evangel | 10-1 | 17-4 |
| 2 | Central Methodist | 9-3 | 14-8 |
| 3 | MidAmerica Nazarene | 8-3 | 18-3 |
| William Jewell | 8-3 | 12-9 | |
| 5 | Benedictine | 6-5 | 11-9 |
| 6 | Missouri Valley | 6-6 | 6-15 |
| 7 | Lindenwood | 5-7 | 11-11 |
| 8 | Culver-Stockton | 4-8 | 7-14 |
| 9 | Avila | 3-9 | 6-14 |
| Graceland | 3-9 | 6-15 | |
| 10 | Baker | 2-10 | 5-16 |