Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Stats | The #5 Pioneers moved to 4-0 in the HAAC with an 83-65 victory over Evangel on Thursday. MNU started slowly and found themselves trailing by 9 after 9 minutes of play. But the next 9 minutes were all MNU as the Pioneers outscored Evangel 27-7 to take an 11-point lead. In the second half, Evangel crawled back into the game and took a 2-point lead with 13 minutes to play, but a 15-3 MNU run put the Pioneers back up by 10. The lead got as high 19 in the final minutes as MNU closed it out.
Kelsey Balcom led the way with 21 points.
Rachel Boan added 15 points and 3 assists.
Brooke Rinehart didn't miss a shot (6-6 fg, 2-2 ft) for 14 points and 4 rebounds off the bench. And
Daria Sprew had 9 points and 6 rebounds.
MNU is 12-1 (4-0 HAAC). The next game is Saturday at home vs. #14 Benedictine (11-5, 3-1) at 2:00. It is the NAIA National Game of the Week.
Stats | In the men's game, Evangel's Steve Jenkins recorded his 600th career victory in an 85-78 win over the Pioneers. The first half was back and forth with neither team leading by more than 5. With 2 minutes left Evangel led by 5, but MNU ended the half on a 7-0 run to take a lead into the locker room. The 6-ranked Crusaders came out in the second half with a 7-0 run of their own to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Evangel pushed the lead as high as 13 before MNU cut it in half in the closing minute.
Brandon Newton led MNU with 20 points on 8-12 shooting.
Luke Thomas recorded 17 points and 15 rebounds. And
Conner Langrehr added 16 points and 4 assists.
MNU is 9-7 (1-3 HAAC). The next game is Saturday at home vs. #15 Benedictine (11-3, 3-0) at 4:00.
