OKLAHOMA CITY – The No. 1-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels led most of the way in defeating the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs 87-77 in an exhibition game today (Nov. 5) inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
The only time the Evangels trailed was early on, as the Bulldogs started the game on a 9-2 run during the games first 4:30.
Tyler Chaisson then hit two free throws that followed by three straight timely threes from Jordan Rhodes that capped a run of 11 straight points and put the Evangels in front to stay at 13-9.
The lead was 21-18 when treys from Olajuwon Garner, Robert Romero and Devonse Reed helped push the edge to double-figures at 32-22 and the Evangels carried a 38-30 lead into the break.
The Bulldogs didn't go quietly in the second half, as a three from Nick Shoemaker finished a 10-2 spurt by SWOSU that cut the Evangel down to one possession at 56-53 at the 10:13 mark of the second half.
But the Evangels pulled away again on the strength of their perimeter shooting, with Garner fueling a 14-5 burst with two threes that made it 70-58 with 7:05 remaining.
The Evangels also got threes from Keyshawn Perkins and another trey from Romero during that span.
MACU never looked back from that point, building the advantage to a game-high 17 points on a bucket from Romero at the 1:35 mark.
Reed led the Evangels with 20 points on 7-of-11 from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point distance. Romero had 16 points along with a team-high eight rebounds.
Rhodes also scored in double-figures with 12 points and Malcolm Mann had a team-best nine assists. Perkins also dished out six dimes.
Altez Davis had team-highs for the Bulldogs in points (15), rebounds (9) and assists (6). Collin Jennings scored 14 for SWOSU and Devin Pugh added 10 points.
Up next, the Evangels will remain at home and host Lindenwood University-Belleville next Thursday night (Nov. 10) at 7 p.m.
