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Lady Crusaders Home Saturday vs. Culver-Stockton
February 20, 2009
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282
Saturday’s Game
Saturday is Senior Day and a Coaches vs. Cancer event at the Ashcroft Center as Evangel hosts Culver-Stockton. Senior players from both the men’s and women’s teams along with seniors on the Cheer Squad will be honored between games today.
The Coaches
Leon Neal (Evangel ’89) is in his 16th season as head coach of the Lady Crusaders and brings a 320-168 career record into tonight’s game. Neal has led Evangel to two NAIA-II Final Fours (1996 and 2005).
Timothy Southers (Urbana University ‘99) is in his first season as head coach at Culver-Stockton. Southers was head coach at Midway College (Ky.) and led his team to a 23-8 record and Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship last season.
Last Game
Evangel had a six game winning streak snapped and lost at home for the first time since Jan. 28, 2008 after falling to MidAmerica Nazarene 65-55 on Thursday. The Lady Crusaders managed just 27 percent shooting against the Pioneers 66 percent. Ashlee Luko led all scorers with 16 points, all of them coming in the first half. Evangel’s home court winning streak was stopped at 12 games.
Culver-Stockton lost at Graceland 83-63 Thursday. Graceland led 42-29 at halftime. Jamai Letcher had 18 points nad 11 rebounds for the Lady Wildcats whil Breezy Guymon added 22.
Jan. 17 Game
Evangel 57
Culver-Stockton 41
Evangel held Culver-Stockton to just 14 points in the first half on their way to a 57-41 win in Canton on Jan. 17. The Lady Crusaders were up 26-14 at the half. Brianna Mingus led all scorers with 21 points and hit six three-point goals in the Evangel win. Jamai Letcher, Breezy Guymon and Gena Reddy had 10 each to lead the Wildcats.
Evangel's Seniors
The Lady Crusaders will honor their two seniors at the conclusion of their game today.
Whitney Pollard, center from Springfield-Glendale, will not play today due to a knee injury. She will be re-evaluated next week and may return next Thursday. Pollard started her college career at Hannibal-LaGrange and came to Evangel last season. She emerged as an inside force during the second half of last year. This season, she has had big moments as well. Early in the year, Pollard was named MVP of the Northwest Missouri St. Classic where she had a 17 rebound game against Briar Cliff. She was the HAAC Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 1-7 when she averaged 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in two games.
Tag Morris, forward from Blue Eye, is also a transfer to Evangel from Missouri State and College of the Ozarks. She joined Evangel at midseason of last year and helped EU surge to win 10 of their last 13 regular season games last year. Morris has been an invaluable part of the Crusaders line-up and currently leads the league in defensive rebounds (5.4) is second in overall rebounds (7.7) and is third in steals (2.0).
Series vs. Culver-Stockton
Evangel leads the all-time series against Culver-Stockton 30-26.
| Rank | Team | Conference Wins |
Conference Loses |
Total Wins |
Total Loses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evangel-x | 14 | 3 | 17 | 9 |
| 2 | Avila-x | 14 | 3 | 22 | 4 |
| 3 | Bendctn-x | 13 | 3 | 18 | 8 |
| 4 | Will. Jwl-x | 13 | 4 | 19 | 8 |
| 5 | MidAm Naz-x | 11 | 5 | 17 | 9 |
| 6 | Lindnwd-x | 9 | 9 | 14 | 13 |
| 7 | Baker-x | 7 | 10 | 13 | 14 |
| 8 | C. Mthdst-x | 6 | 12 | 9 | 18 |
| 9 | Graceland | 3 | 15 | 5 | 18 |
| 10 | Culver-St. | 2 | 15 | 5 | 19 |
| Mo. Valley | 2 | 15 | 3 | 25 |
x- clinched conference tournament berth
Today’s Games
- Culver-Stockton at Evangel
- Missouri Valley at Baker
- William Jewell at Avila
- Lindenwood at MidAmerica Nazarene
- Central Methodist at Benedictine
(all games 2 p.m. starts)
Coming Up
The Lady Crusaders are at William Jewell Thursday, Feb. 26 for a 5:30 p.m. game.
Follow the Crusaders On ESPN 1400 AM and www.allinbroadcasting.com