Women Travel to Avila for First Round Game of Conference Tournament

February 27, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282

Game 29
Evangel vs. Avila
7 p.m. February 28
HAAC Postseason Tournament - First Round

The Lady Crusaders (14-14) will travel to Kansas City to face Avila University (16-14) on Thursday, Feb. 28, in the first round of the women’s tournament. The game will begin at 7 p.m. in Avila’s Mabee Center. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1400 AM (KGMY) and webcast at www.allinbroadcasting.com. Ed Beach will handle the play-by-play. Leslie Callison will provide the color commentary.

The EU women and Avila finished in a tie for fourth place in the conference standings (11-9). Avila, however, will host the first round game because it won both regular season games against the Evangel women.

Game Capsule

Records

• Evangel: 14-14, 11-9 HAAC (4th, tie with Avila)
• Avila: 16-14, 11-9 (HAAC (4th, tie with Evangel)

Recent Games, Feb. 23

• EU won at home against Baker, 68- 50
• AU won at Culver-Stockton, 55-36

The Coaches

• Evangel: Leon Neal (Evangel, 1989),14th year, 305-159)
• Avila: Larry Williams (Central Missouri, 1969; 2nd year; 34-27

Series Record

Evangel leads the series with Avila, 28-8 and had won 17 straight prior to losing twice to Avila in 2006-07 and twice again 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 13-5. Evangel had won the last eight in Kansas City prior to last season’s 56-55 loss in K.C. on Feb.
5. EU also lost at Avila, 82-76, in OT on Jan. 31 of this season. 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).

Evangel’s Most Recent Game

The Lady Crusaders won their sixth straight game on Feb. 23, ending their regular season with a 68-50 home win against Baker.

EU was paced by Brianna Mingus and Ashley Luko. Both players scored 12 points. Luko also dished out four assists and had four rebounds. Caitlin Russell came off the bench to score 10 points. Tag Morris had four rebounds and four steals. EU’s rebounding was led by Whitney Pollard. She grabbed eight rebounds.

Baker had the hotter hand, making 43.2 percent of its field goals to EU’s 42.1 percent. EU made 8 of 24 3-pointers (.333) to Baker’s 2 of 7 (28.6). Both teams shot well at the line. Evangel made 12 of 13 (.923) and Baker connected on 16 of 18 (.889). EU barely won the rebounding war, 29-28, but had fewer turnovers, 13- 21).

Avila’s Recent Game

Avila’s Lady Eagles closed out their regular season with a 55-36 win at Culver- Stockton on Feb. 23. AU led 24-11 at the half.

Alyson Young poured in 20 points and had nine rebounds. Ashley Townsend added 10 points and seven rebounds. Jaime Kenney shared the rebounding honors with Young, also pulling down nine. Emily Hoskins dished out seven assists. Rebounding and turnovers were
close, however, AU made 42.9 percent from the field to C-SC’s 21.8 percent. At the line, AU made 17 of 20 ( .850) to CSC’s 8 of 15 (.533).

Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament

First Round - Feb. 28 - 7 p.m.

Upper Bracket

• No. 1 Benedictine hosts No. 8 Lindenwood
• No. 4 Avila hosts No. 5 Evangel

Lower Bracket

• No. 2 MidAmerica Nazarene hosts No. 7 Baker
• No. 3 William Jewell hosts No. 6 Missouri Valley

Semifinals, Mar. 1, 7 p.m.

• Winners of Upper Bracket at higher seed
• Winners of Lower Bracket at higher seed

Championship, Mar. 4, 7 p.m.

Winners of semifinals, at higher seed

Automatic Qualifiers - National Tournament

• First Automatic Qualifier - Tournament Champion
• Second Automatic Qualifier - No. 1 or No. 2 team from final standings (depending on outcome of tournament)

NAIA II National Tournament

Mar. 12-18 * Tyson Events Center: Sioux City, Iowa