Athletics home Athletics news archive Evangel in the news Coaches' blog
Lady Crusaders Host HAAC Quarterfinals
March 4, 2009
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282
Wednesday’s Game
Evangel hosts Central Methodist in the first round of the Heart of America conference tournament. The Lady Crusaders are the #1 seed and regular season conference champion. Evangel hosts eighth seeded Central Methodist. The winner advances to the semifinals Friday at 7 p.m. against the winner of (#5) MidAmerica Nazarene at (#4) William Jewell. The game will be played at the highest seeded team.
The Coaches
Leon Neal (Evangel ’89) is in his 16th season as head coach of the Lady Crusaders and brings a 325-169 career record into tonight’s game. Neal has led Evangel to two NAIA-II Final Fours (1996 and 2005).
Andi Brooks (Western State) is in her third season as head coach at Central Methodist. Brooks is 19-68 in her career with the Eagles. She has led Central Methodist to their first postseason appearance since the league took only the top eight teams into the post-season and the Eagles best conference finish in nine years.
Last Game
Evangel clinched the HAAC regular season title Saturday in a 46-43 win over Avila at the Ashcroft Center. Evangel trailed 28-24 at the half but held Avila to no field goals and just one point over the first 10 minutes of the second half and took a 35-29 lead. Avila rallied and led 43-41 with 2:02 remaining when Brianna Mingus hit a three-point shot that put Evangel up for good. Mingus finished with 19 points in the game and Tag Morris provided 11 rebounds.
Central Methodist finished their regular season with a 50-44 win at Culver-Stockton. The Lady Eagles held Culver-Stockton to 17 first half points going up 23-17. Sami Dunger finished with 16 points and had 6 rebounds. The win snapped a five game losing streak.
Season Series: Evangel 2-0
Jan. 8 Game: Evangel 63 Central Methodist 55
Fayette, Mo. – The Lady Crusaders tailed by one at the half, 24-23, but rallied to score 40 second-half points in a 63-55 win at Central Methodist. Caitlin Russell led all scorers with 21 points and Kelsie Hargus added 15. Sami Dunger led the Eagles with 11 points.
Feb. 12 Game: Evangel 61 Central Methodist 50
Springfield, Mo. – Evangel won the second meeting of the year between the two teams 61-50 at the Ashcroft Center. Evangel led 34-20 at the half and led 49-23 with 9:10 remaining before the Eagles cut into the lead. Kara Blankenship had a game-high 19 points and Ashlee Luko added 14. Whitney Pollard had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Brittany Elliott led Central Methodist with 15 points.
Mingus HAAC Player of the Week
Junior guard Brianna Mingus was named the Heart of America conference Player of the Week for last week. Mingus averaged 15.5 points in two games, both wins for Evangel last week. The Rogersville native had 19 points on Saturday against Avila. Mingus is the fifth different Evangel player to win Player of the Week honors this season and it is the sixth time an Evangel player has won the award.
First 20-Win Season In Four Years
Evangel won their 20th game of the season on Saturday marking their first 20-win season since 2004-05. Evangel won at least 20 games for five straight seasons from 2000-01 through 2004-05. This season is the 12th 20-win season in Evangel’s 41-year history of the program.
Morris Takes HAAC Rebound Title
Tag Morris finished the regular season leading the conference in rebounding. The senior from Blue Eye is averaging 8.1 rebounds per game. Morris has had a double figure rebounding game in each of her last six games. She is averaging 10.6 rebounds per game in the last 13 games. Morris also leads the conference in defensive rebounds at 5.6 per game and she ranks eighth in offensive rebounds with 2.5 per game. Morris can also be found in the top five in the conference in steals with 2.03 per game (4th) and she has posted six double-doubles this season, fourth most in the conference.
League Leaders In Defense, Free Throws
Evangel ended the regular season leading the conference in points allowed per game and team free throw percentage. The Lady Crusaders led the conference allowing just 56.3 points per game. That total also ranks sixth in the nation.
As a team, Evangel is shooting 76.6 percent from the free throw line which also leads the league and ranks 4th nationally in the NAIA.Series vs. Central Methodist
Evangel leads the all-time series 44-23. Wednesday’s game is the 68th meeting between the two teams all-time. The two teams split the season series last year and in 2006-07.
| Rank | Team | Conference Wins |
Conference Loses |
Total Wins |
Total Loses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evangel-z | 17 | 3 | 20 | 9 |
| 2 | Bendctn-y | 16 | 4 | 21 | 9 |
| 3 | Avila-x | 15 | 5 | 23 | 6 |
| Will. Jwl-x | 15 | 5 | 21 | 9 | |
| 5 | MidAm Naz-x | 14 | 6 | 20 | 10 |
| 6 | Baker-x | 9 | 11 | 15 | 15 |
| Lindnwd-x | 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | |
| 8 | C. Mthdst-x | 7 | 13 | 10 | 19 |
| 9 | Graceland | 3 | 17 | 5 | 20 |
| Mo. Valley | 3 | 17 | 4 | 27 | |
| 11 | Culver-St. | 2 | 18 | 5 | 22 |
z- clinched conference regular season championship
y-clinched second place in conf.
x- clinched conference tournament berth
Today’s Games (Quarterfinals)
- (8) Central Methodist at (1) Evangel
- (5) Mid. Naz at (4) William Jewell
- (7) Lindenwood at (2) Benedictine
- (6) Baker at (3) Avila
(all games 7 p.m. starts)
Evangel HAAC Tournament History
Evangel has an all-time record of 27-8 in the conference postseason tournament and has captured seven championships. Evangel enters this tournament with a three-game losing streak in the postseason having not won a HAAC tournament game since 2005. The string of losses comes on the heels of a 15-game winning streak by the Lady Crusaders in the post season from 2001 to 2005.
| Year | Seed | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5th | 0-1: L 1st rd |
| 2007 | 7th | 0-1: L 1st rd |
| 2006 | 4th | 0-1: L 1st rd |
| 2005 | 1st | 3-0: champs |
| 2004 | 1st | 3-0: champs |
| 2003 | 2nd | 3-0: champs |
| 2002 | 1st | 3-0: champs |
| 2001 | 1st | 3-0: champs |
| 2000 | 5th | 1-1: L semis |
| 1999 | 5th | 0-1: L 1st rd |
| 1998 | 3rd | 2-1: L finals |
| 1997 | 3rd | 2-1: L finals |
| 1996 | 1st | 3-0: champs* |
| 1995 | 3rd | 1-1: L semis |
| 1994 | 2nd | 3-0: champs |
*completed undefeated regular season and postseason (19-0)
Evangel Completes Seventh Regular Season Championship
Evangel has won their seventh regular season championship Saturday with the victory over Avila. Evangel has won the conference outright six times and has been co-champion once. The title is the Lady Crusaders first since 2004-05
Jackson Bound
Evangel’s regular season HAAC Championship means they have clinched a berth in the NAIA-I National Championship Tournament in Jackson, Tennessee. The Lady Crusaders have appeared in eight NAIA national tournaments, all at NAIA-II. Evangel has advanced to two Final Fours in 1996 and 2005, advanced to the Quarterfinals twice and the round of 16 twice.
This year’s NAIA-I National Tournament bracket will be announced Wednesday, March 11. The tournament is March 18-24.
Coming Up
The Evangel men’s team opens their conference tournament Thursday at 7 p.m. against Lindenwood.
Should the Lady Crusaders win Wednesday, they will host the conference semifinals against the winner of the MidAmerica Nazarene at William Jewell game Friday at 7 p.m.
Follow the Crusaders On ESPN 1400 AM and www.allinbroadcasting.com