February 18, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282
Game 28
No. 4 Evangel vs. Benedictine
7:30 p.m. February 18
Ashcroft Center: Springfield, Mo.
Evangel Radio Broadcast and Webcast
ESPN Radio (KGMY, 1400 AM)
www.allinbroadcasting.com
Play-by-play: Ed Beach
On Feb. 2, Evangel won 98-93 in overtime at Bendictine in Atchison, Kans.
Evangel leads the series with Benedictine, 26-14. The Crusaders hold a 14-7 series advantage at home, however, Benedictine has won four of the last five meetings in Ashcroft. Evangel won 84-81 at home in last season’s semifinal game of the league tournament to end BC’s four-game winning streak at Evangel. The Ravens won 76-67 on Dec. 2, 2006, won 95-85 last season on Nov. 19, 2005, won 76-70 on Jan. 22, 2005 and defeated EU 78-63 on Dec. 2, 2003 in Ashcroft. Prior to BC’s current dominance at Evangel, the Crusaders had won four straight home games versus the Ravens.
Evangel managed to leave the Ashcroft Center with a one-point, double-overtime win on Feb. 16 vs. Missouri Valley. As the game played out, the game would have resulted in a one-point MVC win - without the two extra periods - if EU head coach Steve Jenkins hadn’t questionned a shot by MV’s Jelani Hicks.
Hick’s shot with 16:27 left in the game was ruled a 3-pointer. The officials, however, voluntarily reviewed the film and determined that Jenkins was right about the shot. It was worth two points, not three. At that point, the delay in the game hardly seemed to make a difference as the Crusaders led by 14 at the time and would stretch the lead to 19 with 11:06 remaining. From that point, however, Evangel put on its cruise control and MVC began what turned out to be a 29-10 run that, with a Caleb Moon free throw, would tie the game with 3:09 left, 72-72. The game ended in an 80-80 tie after regulation. The tie was one of eight during the game.
Both teams scored eight in the first OT. In the second 5-minute period EU jumped out to a 5-point lead, 98-93, on two Austin Brewer free throws. With six seconds left, EU still had a lead, 105-101, when MV’s Craig Jones hit a 3-pointer to pull his team to within one. EU’s Jackson Capel was then fouled, missed his second attempt and got his own rebound to preserve the EU win. .
Capel led all scorers with 33 points and also had nine rebounds. He made 7 of 13 3-pointers. Todd Simon added 25 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. Shane Nicholson registered a double-double with a 12-point, 11-assist performance. His 11 assists brought his career total to 439 to tie the current school record of 439 by Bryan Soukup (1995-99). Austin Brewer and Spud Harbour each scored 10 points and Tim Dial had seven rebounds.
Missouri Valley’s Craig Jones totaled 29 points. Brandon Oliver recorded a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
Benedictine lost 83-66 at home to Graceland on Feb. 16. The Ravens had a tough shooting night. Graceland made 45.3 percent of its field goals to Benedictine’s 34.3 percent. From the 3-point arc, Graceland made 43.8 percent (7-16) to BC’s 17.6 percent (3-17). From the charity stripe, Graceland was accurate on 81.8 percent of its tries (18-22) and Benedictine made 63.0 percent from the line (17-27). GU held a slight 47-42 rebound advantage and both teams had 18 turnovers.
Dan VanDyke scored 15 points to lead the Ravens and grabbed seven rebounds. Ronnie Tyson added 12 points and Jack Johnson came off the bench to score 10 points. Nick Larson led all rebounders with nine caroms.
| Rank | Team | Conference Record |
Overall Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evangel | 13-2 | 20-5 |
| 2 | MidAmerica Nazarene | 13-3 | 23-3 |
| 3 | William Jewell | 12-4 | 16-10 |
| 4 | Central Methodist | 12-5 | 17-10 |
| 5 | Benedictine | 7-8 | 12-12 |
| 6 | Lindenwood | 7-9 | 13-13 |
| Missouri Valley | 7-9 | 7-18 | |
| 8 | Graceland | 5-11 | 9-17 |
| 9 | Avila | 5-12 | 8-17 |
| 10 | Baker | 4-13 | 7-19 |
| Culver-Stockton | 4-13 | 7-19 |