February 25, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282
The Evangel basketball teams will host Baker University on Saturday, Feb. 23, in Heart of America Athletic Conference games. The games are the last regular season games on the schedule. The Evangel women (13-14, 10-9 HAAC) have won their last four games. Their game against the Baker Lady Wildcats (15-14, 10-9 HAAC) will begin at 2 p.m. in the Ashcroft Center. The Evangel men (23-6, 16-3 HAAC) will host the Baker men (9-19, 6-13 HAAC) at 4 p.m.
Both of Evangel’s teams are coming off a road trip to William Jewell on Feb. 21 and both nationally-ranked teams were defeated. The Lady Crusaders upset No. 16-ranked (NAIA II) William Jewell 57-53. William Jewell’s men then upset No. 3-ranked Evangel (NAIA II), 56-52.
Depending on the outcome of the conference games on Feb. 23, the Evangel women will begin play in the league tournament on Thursday, Feb. 28. The top four teams will host the first round games and EU’s women are locked in a four-way tie for third place with Avila, Baker and Missouri Valley. All four teams are 10-9 in conference play. The semifinal games are on Saturday, Mar. 1 and the championship game is on Tuesday, Mar. 4.
On the men’s side, the Crusaders and MidAmerica are tied at No. 1 with 16-3 records in the conference. Evangel will host a first round game in the postseason conference tourney on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. in the Ashcroft Center. The semifinal games are Friday, Feb. 29 and the championship game is on Mon, Mar. 3.
All games are at the site of the higher ranked teams in the conference standings and will begin at 7 p.m.