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Lady Crusaders Play to Win
February 26, 2009
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282
Thursday’s Game
Thursday is the next to last game of the regular season and there are still four teams within a game of first place. All four teams are head-to-head in games against each other Thursday. Evangel is at William Jewell and Benedictine, the team tied for first with Evangel, is at second place Avila.
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).
Jill Cress (Northwestern College ‘93) is in her 13th season as head coach at William Jewell. She is 281-161 in her career with the Cardinals.
Last Game
Evangel bounced back from their first loss in six games with a 95-57 win over Culver-Stockton at the Ashcroft Center Saturday. The 95 points is a season high and came after Evangel failed to score from the field in the first five minutes of the game. Tag Morris scored a career high 22 points and had 11 rebounds while Ashlee Luko also had 22 for Evangel. The Lady Crusaders shot 54 percent from the floor in the game.
William Jewell won at Avila 65-53 on Saturday. The win helped keep the Lady Cardinals in the HAAC Championship race. Erica Ferguson had 16 points to lead William Jewell. The Cardinals shot 57 percent in the second half after leading 34-26 at the half. Avila was just 2 for 6 at the free throw line while William Jewell was 8 for 15.
Jan. 22 Game
Evangel 61 William Jewell 35
In their first game without Kelsie Hargus, Evangel took apart William Jewell 61-35 on Jan. 22 at the Ashcroft Center. Evangel held the Cardinals to 14 second-half points outscoring them 37-14 in the second half after holding a 24-21 halftime lead. Ashlee Luko had 22 points while Whitney Pollard added 13. No William Jewell players reached double-figures. They were led by Hillary Adams’ 9 points.
A Four-Team Race
Entering Thursday, four teams are still in the hunt for the HAAC regular season championship. Evangel and Benedictine are tied for first place while William Jewell and Avila are both one game back tied for second. All four teams play one another tonight and Evangel plays Benedictine Saturday.
Stat Surge
Evangel forward Tag Morris has moved to within a 0.02 average of the conference rebounding lead. For the first two months, Morris was not even among the top 10 rebounders in the conference. Now the Blue Eye native is averaging 7.85 rebounds per game, behind only Missouri Valley’s Chelsea Quiring’s 7.87 rebounds per game.
Ashlee Luko now ranks 10th in the conference in scoring with a 12.4 ppg average. Luko has not been ranked among the league’s top 10 in scoring until this week. She is averaging 16.7 points in her last nine games.
Series vs. William Jewell
Evangel leads the all-time series against William Jewell 41-27. The Lady Crusaders are 21-16 at William Jewell in their history.
| Rank | Team | Conference Wins |
Conference Loses |
Total Wins |
Total Loses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evangel-x | 15 | 3 | 18 | 9 |
| Bendctn-x | 15 | 3 | 20 | 8 | |
| 3 | Avila-x | 14 | 4 | 22 | 5 |
| Will. Jwl-x | 14 | 4 | 20 | 8 | |
| 5 | MidAm Naz-x | 12 | 6 | 18 | 10 |
| 6 | Lindnwd-x | 9 | 10 | 14 | 14 |
| 7 | Baker-x | 8 | 10 | 14 | 14 |
| 8 | C. Mthdst-x | 6 | 13 | 9 | 19 |
| 9 | Graceland | 3 | 15 | 5 | 18 |
| 10 | Culver-St. | 2 | 16 | 5 | 20 |
| Mo. Valley | 2 | 16 | 3 | 26 |
x- clinched conference tournament berth
Today’s Games
- Central Methodist at Culver-Stockton
- Missouri Valley at Graceland
- Evangel at William Jewell
- Baker at MidAmerica Nazarene
- Benedictine at Avila
(all games 5:30 p.m. starts)
Coming Up
The Lady Crusaders are home for the final game of the regular season as they host Avila for a 2 p.m. game at the Ashcroft Center.
Follow the Crusaders On ESPN 1400 AM and www.allinbroadcasting.com