February 8, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282
Game 23
Evangel vs. Graceland
2 p.m. February 9
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
Evangel leads the series, 37-6, and had won 28 games in a row versus Graceland prior a 72-68 GU win at Evangel on Dec. 9 of the 2006-07 season. The Yellowjackets also defeated Evangel in the second game of the 2006-07 campaign, winning 74-71 in overtime in Lamoni and defeated EU 72-66 at home this season on Jan. 5. Graceland also has wins vs. Evangel on Feb. 18, 1993 in Springfield (69-60), on Feb. 1, 1990 in Lamoni, Iowa (58-53) and on Feb. 11, 1989 in Springfield (64-54).
At home, EU has a 19-3 series lead and had won the last 14 games prior to losing, 72-68, in Ashcroft on Dec. 9, 2006 of last season.
On Jan. 5, EU lost at GU in Lamoni, Iowa, 72-66
Whitney Pollard dropped in a career-high 18 points and tied her career-best with four rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as EU lost 74-70 in overtime at MidAmerica Nazarene. Pollard made 8 of 13 field goals and both free throw attempts. She also had three steals, two blocks and an assist.
In addition to Pollard’s 18 points, Tag Morris scored 11 and Kelsie Hargus came off the bench to tally 10. Rebounding honors for EU went to Morris. She had seven rebounds and Ashlee Luko brought down six. Melissa Hogan was credited with four of EU’s 14 steals.
The score was tied 64-all at the end of regulation, but MNU outscored EU 10-6 in OT to take the Feb. 7 win.
Evangel almost overcame a poor shooting night that saw the Lady Crusaders make 38.7 percent from the field (7 of 22 3-pointers, .318) and 50.0 percent from the line (5-10). MNU, meanwhile, found the bucket wide open, making 52.1 percent from the floor (4 of 9 3s, .444) and 80.0 percent from the line (20-25). MNU also had a clear advantage on the boards, pulling down 45 reounds to EU’s 29 (12 of MNU’s rebounds were team rebounds). EU did have the advantage in turnovers, committing 12 miscues to MNU’s 24. EU’s bench outscored MNU’s bench, 40-17.
Graceland lost 75-72 at Baker on Feb. 7. The score was tied, 39-39, at the half, but Graceland was unable to overtake Baker at the end of the game. Kristin Osborn poured in 18 points, Ieshia Randall had 15, Katie Lemburg (non-starter) scored 13 and Cassie Butler tallied 12 points. Keturah Spotwood led GU’s rebounding with seven. Baker’s Aubree Gustin (22 pts., 13 rbs.) and Kaitlin Schneden (16 pts., 10 rbs.) had double-doubles for Baker.
Over 900 school have signed up to participate in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) “Think Pink” fight against breast cancer campaign. The next three Lady Crusaders’ games will be part of the “Think Pink” event that runs from Feb. 8-17 (Feb. 9 at home vs. Graceland, Feb. 14 at Lindenwood, and Feb. 16 home vs. Missouri Valley).
Both ticket tables in the Ashcroft Center will have place for donations. All donations will be used to aid in the research for finding a cure for breast cancer.
| 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 |