Lakeland, Florida – The Evangel men's basketball team opened their three-game Florida road swing with a 67-58 against Olivet Nazarene (Ill.).

The #24 Crusaders trailed by ten points with 8:13 left in the first half and chipped away taking a one-point lead at halftime 32-21.

Evangel outscored the Tigers 35-27 in the second half and led by as many as 12 points with 11:38 remaining.  Olivet Nazarene cut the Evangel lead to as few as three points with 5:48 remaining, but the Tigers would only score two points the remainder of the night as the Crusaders hit free throws to seal it.

Sophomore Richard Chapman came off the bench to lead Evangel with 15 points.  Nick Yocum added 13 points and Brodie Wingert added 11 points.  The Tigers' Aaron Larson had a game high 17 points in the losing effort.

Evangel will be back in action on tomorrow night taking on the host school on day two of the Southeastern University Classic in Lakeland, Florida.  Game time is 6:00 pm (Central) as the Crusaders face Southeastern (Fla.).