From MACU Sports Information
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels trailed by as many nine in the first half, but rallied to grind out a 62-56 victory over the Haskell Indian Nations Indians to secure their ninth straight win Friday evening (Dec. 14) inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
After a three by Emilie Schirmer gave the Lady Evangels a 15-10 lead in the first half, Sydney Jessepe scored eight points to spark an 18-4 spurt that put the Indians up 28-19.
The Lady Evangels then battled back to take control with a 23-6 run that bridged the final three minutes of the first half and the opening seven minutes of the second. Kelsie Dutton started the push with a three-point play and Parris Price followed with consecutive jumpers that helped trim the deficit to 30-28 at the break.
Price and Schirmer then scored four points each of a 14-4 push to open the second half for a 42-34 lead with 13:11 remaining.
A layup from Kourtni Williams extended the lead double-digits at 48-38 and the Lady Evangels would build the lead as high as 13 after a layup from Tierra Brown made it 54-41 at the 5:36 mark.
The Indians wouldn’t go quietly though as a three from Jenine Coriz ignited a 9-2 run that cut the lead to four , but could get no closer the rest of the way.
Williams led the Lady Evangels with game-highs of 16 points and nine rebounds. Price had 14 and Schirmer added eight points and eight boards. Sabrina McKinney dished out a team-high four assists.
Jennah Williams paced the Indians with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Coriz had 13 along with a game-high seven assists. Jessepe also reached double-figure scoring with 12 points.
The Lady Evangels shot only 38.7 percent (22-of-50) and were out-rebounded 35-34, but offset that by forcing 26 turnovers.
MACU will remain at home and host NCAA D-II East Central University on Monday evening (Dec. 17) at 6 p.m.
Levi Convirs is the Sports Information Director at Mid-America Christian University.