January 30, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282
Game 20
Evangel vs. Avila
5:30 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
Color Commentary: Leslie Callison
MidAmerica Nazarene had a real battle on its hands on Jan. 28 in EU’s Ashcroft Center. After a tied first half, 19-19, MidAmerica Nazarene was able to pull away from the Lady Crusaders, 28-22, in the second half to win, 47-41.
Evangel kept the game close by taking care of the ball and utilizing its talented bench. MNU committed 28 turnovers to EU’s 12 and Evangel outscored its visitors, 20-6, off those turnovers. EU’s bench strength showed again as the players coming off the chairs outscored MNU’s bench, 23-3.
The above two factors were key for EU in keeping the score close. MNU had a better field goal percentage (.415 to .245), shot more accurately from the 3- point arc (.385, 5-13 to .238, 5-21) and found the basket more often from the free throw line (.727, 8- 11 to .571, 4-7).
Whitney Pollard came off the bench to lead EU with nine points.
MNU was led by JoNel Henning (20 points) and Jenna Matson recorded a doubledouble, scoring 12 points and grabbing 17 rebounds.
Avila defeated visiting Baker 76-71 in overtime on Jan. 26. The score was tied 67-all at the end of regulation. Avila then reeled off nine points to Baker’s four in the OT period. Ashley Townsend poured in 33 points and brought down 11 rebounds for Avila. Jaime Kenney added 16 points
Avila won the first meeting this season, besting Evangel 67-51 at EU on Dec. 6.
Evangel leads the series with
Avila, 28-7 and had won 17
straight prior to losing twice to
Avila last season and 67-51 at
home on Dec. 6 of this 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.
At Avila, Evangel leads the series 13-4. The Lady Crusaders had won the last eight in Kansas City prior to last season’s 56-55 loss in K.C. on Feb. 5. EU’s last loss before the ‘06-07 loss was in 1991 (55-48). The other two losses were on Feb. 14, 1987 (65- 58) and Jan. 25, 1986 (80-76).
| Rank | Team | Conference Record |
Overall Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benedictine | 11-0 | 19-2 |
| 2 | William Jewell | 9-2 | 16-5 |
| 3 | MidAmerica Nazarene | 7-3 | 12-8 |
| 4 | Baker | 7-5 | 12-10 |
| 5 | Graceland | 6-6 | 12-8 |
| MIssouri Valley | 6-6 | 9-10 | |
| 7 | Evangel | 5-5 | 8-10 |
| 8 | Lindenwood | 5-7 | 9-11 |
| Avila | 5-7 | 9-12 | |
| 10 | Central Methodist | 2-10 | 4-17 |
| 11 | Culver-Stockton | 0-12 | 4-15 |