From MACU Sports Info.
Levi Convirs, Sports Information Director
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Ashlee Ferguson closed out 2014 with a day that’s been bettered by only one person: Ashlee Ferguson. Ferguson scored 37 points on 13-of-27 from the field and 9-of-15 from three-point distance to lead the Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels to a 100-65 victory over the Northern New Mexico College Lady Eagles on Wednesday in action at the Arizona Christian University Firestorm Classic II in Phoenix, Ariz.
Ferguson’s 37 points are second in school history (since joining the NAIA) only to her 40 point outing last year (2/22/14) and her 13 field-goal makes are two shy of her 15 last season (2/22/14). Her nine threes tie a school mark that she also set last season (2/22/14).
Ferguson wasn’t the only Lady Evangel with a historic day, as Alliyah Spatafora scored a career-high 20 points and dished out nine assists, which is tied for second most in a single-game. Earlier this season (11/7/14), Spatafora had 10 assists that tied for first in school history.
The records weren’t limited to individual performances, as the Lady Evangels also nailed 15 threes as a team, their most makes from the perimeter since becoming an NAIA school in 2007.
Much like yesterday, the Lady Evangels (8-3) got off to a quick start as Ferguson and Spatafora comined for 14 points of a game-opening 18-0 run during the first 3:13 of the contest.
Unlike yesterday, the Lady Evangels kept their foot on the pedal and never let up, quickly building the lead to 20 at the 13:46 mark on a three by Felicia Foster and then to 22 when a trey by Spatafora made it 31-9 with 10:18 left in the opening half.
The Lady Evangels continued to pull away and took a 56-26 lead at the break and never looked back in the second half, maintaining at least a 25-point lead and stretched the edge to as much as 39 on a three by Ferguson that made it 94-55 with 4:20 remaining.
In addition to Feguson and Spatafora’s game totals, Kelley recorded yet another double-double, her seventh of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Shakayla Love scored in double-figures with 11 points along with nine boards and Spatafora also equaled her career-high with four steals.
Krishia Artieda, Michelle Montes and Myla Woods-Brown each scored 12 points to lead the Lady Eagles, while Woods-Brown also had a team-high 10 rebounds. Ashley John also scored in double-figures with 10 points.
The Lady Evangels out-rebounded the Lady Eagles 41-33 overall, sparked by a 28-20 edge on the defensive glass. MACU’s dominance on the glass is no surprise, as they entered today’s game tops in the NAIA with 48.9 total rebounds per game.
MACU will next resume action in the Sooner Athletic Conference next Thursday evening (Jan. 8) at home against John Brown University. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center.