From MACU Sports Information
Point Lookout, Mo. — Mike Wiebe poured in a game-high 33 points to lift the College of the Ozarks Bobcats to an 83-71 win over the Mid-America Christian University Evangels in non-conference action Thursday night (Dec. 13) in Point Lookout, Mo.
The Bobcats took control after the opening 12 minutes of the contest featured five ties, with the Evangels leading by as much as four points on five occasions during that span.
After a bucket by Angelo Lewis put the Evangels up 22-19, the Bobcats ripped off a 20-4 run over the next seven minutes that was capped with a three by Taylor Acord that made it 39-26 with 1:54 left in the opening half.
The Evangels trailed 41-33 when Wiebe nailed a three with two seconds left that put the Bobcats back on top by double-figures at 44-33 at the break.
MACU clawed to within six twice in the second half, but each time the Bobcats answered to stretch the lead back to double-digits.
It was a seven-point game after Charlie Shorter made two free throws to make it 76-69 with 1:22 remaining, but the Bobcats closed out the win by making seven shots at the charity stripe down the stretch to end the game on a 7-2 run.
Shorter led the Evangels (4-4) with 17 points, while Lewis recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds. Josh Minner also reached double-figures with 12 points along with seven boards.
Wiebe’s 33 points came on 11-of-20 overall from the field, 5-of-10 from beyond the arc and a perfect 6-of-6 at the free-throw line. Nathane Simniok had a huge game of 18 points and game-highs of 15 rebounds and seven steals.
After each team shot exactly 44.4 percent (16-of-36) from the field in the first half, the Bobcats limited the Evangels to only a 30.2 percent (13-of-43) shooting clip in the second. Meanwile, the Bobcats warmed up to a 52.2 percent (12-of-23) clip in the final period.
The Evangels will next play an exhibition at NCAA D-II Midwestern State University on Monday night (Dec. 17) in Wichita Falls, Texas.