Lady Crusaders vs. No. 9 Benedictine

February 18, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282

Game 26
Evangel vs. Lindenwood
5:30 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
Color Commentary: Leslie Callison

Game Capsule

Records

• Evangel: 11-14, 8-9 HAAC
• Benedictine: 24-3, 16-1, No. 9 NAIA II

Recent Games, Feb. 16

• Evangel won at home against Missouri Valley, 67-60
• Benedictine won at home vs. Graceland, 80-63

Prior Meeting, Jan. 12

Benedictine defeated Evangel. 67-63, in Atchison, Kans.

The Coaches

• Evangel: Leon Neal (Evangel, 1989), 14th year, 302-159)
• Benedictine: Chad Folsom (Grinnell, 1994; 7th year; 149-73)

Series Record

Evangel holds a 28-11 series advantage against Benedictine. Benedictine defeated EU, 67-63, in Atchison, Kansas, on Feb. 2 of this season. The teams split their games in 2006-07, winning on the other team’s home floor. Bendictine won 77-66 in OT at Evangel and Evangel then won 65-58 at BC

At home, Evangel has a 14-4 record, however, the Lady Ravens have won the last two meetings in Springfield. Last season , Benedictine won 77-66 in overtime on Dec. 2, 2006.. BC also defeated Evangel 70-53 on Nov. 19, 2005, in Springfield. The other two losses at home to Benedictine were on Jan. 25, 2003 (57-49) and on Feb. 12, 2000 (52-43).

Game Notes

• EU’s Whitney Pollard has averaged 13.0 points and 3.8 rebounds over the last six games. She has made 67.4 percent of her field goals (29-43) and 95.2 percent of her free throws (20-21).
• Benedictine moved up one notch in the NAIA II national poll this week. The Lady Ravens are No. 9 on the Feb. 13 poll.
• Russell Caitlin is No. 3 on the true freshman 3-pointers made list with 38. She trails Camilla Hartzler (199-91), who holds the record with 70. Teammate Brianna Mingus, who had 52 treys as a freshman, is No. 2.
• Evangel head coach Leon Neal recorded his 300th win when the EU ladies defeated Graceland 79-52 in Ashcroft Center on Feb. 9.
• Benedictine’s current No. 9 ranking is the highes for the Lady Ravens this season. After a No. 14 ranking on the NAIA II preseason poll, Benedictine has been ranked, in order, No. 15, 11, 12, 12, 11, 10, 10 and then No. 9 on Feb. 13.
• If the Lady Crusaders are able to upset Benedictine, they would have their first four-game winning streak of 2007-08.. EU has two three-game streaks - Jan. 19 Baker (56-44), Jan. 24 vs. Central Methodist (82-71), Jan. 26 at Culver-Stockton (62-51) and the current streak Feb. 9 vs. Graceland (79-52), Feb. 14 at Lindenwood (65-53), Feb. 16 vs. Missouri Valley (67-60).
• Benedictine’s three losses have been by an average of six points (Nov. 15 vs. Doane, 68-61; Dec. 14 nt Hastings, 77-70; Feb. 14 at MidAmerica Nazarene, 66-62.

Evangel’s Most Recent Game

Evangel played host to Missouri Valley on Feb. 16 and won 67-60. During the first half, however, it looked like the visitors would travel back to Marshall with a win. Although they were down 41-35 at the half, the EU ladies got back on track in the second 20 minutes, outscoring Missouri Valley, 32-19, to win by seven.

Ashlee Luko led Evangel with 18 points and 12 came from the free throw line, where she missed only two attempts. Brianna Mingus chipped in 13 points, including 3 of 4 shooting from 3-point range. Kelsie Hargus paced the EU leapers with five rebounds and Melissa Hogan dished out a team-high four assists.

Missouri Valley’s scoring was led by Bonnie Johnson and Jessica Francka. Each player scored 12 points and Nicole Allison added 11 points. Johnson and Ashley Sequeira both grabbed six rebounds.

EU shot better from the field (.513 to .474) and from the line (.688, 22-32 to .590, 23-39) in a game that featured 57 fouls. The Lady Crusaders attempted just nine 3s and made five (.556). Missouri Valley put up only two treys, making one.

Under the glass, Evangel had a 33-21 rebounding advantage. Missouri Valley had fewer turnovers, 20-24, and outscored EU off turnovers, 20-11.

Benedictine’s Feb. 16 Game

The No. 9-ranked Lady Ravens of Benedictine defeated Graceland 80-63 at home in Atchison, Kansas, on Feb. 16. Melinda Morrison came off the bench to lead Benedictine with 14 points and eight rebounds. Courtney Edmonds added 17 points and tallied six rebounds.

Both teams had trouble finding the hoop. Graceland made 39.3 percent of its field goals and Benedictine made 38.3 percent. From the 3-point arc, Benedictine cashed in on 6 of 18 3s (.333) and Graceland made 4 of 19 (.211). BC faired much better at the line, making 12 of 14 (.857) to Graceland’s 11 of 17 (.647). The big difference in the game, however, was Benedictine’s 61-29 advantage on the boards.

HAAC Standings thru 1-28-08

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