Campbellsville, Ky. – The Evangel men's basketball team opened the 2015-16 campaign with a 85-68 road loss to #18 Campbellsville (Ky.) Thursday night. 

The Crusaders trailed by only four points at halftime 44-40 before Campbellsville slowly extended the lead the second half outscoring the Crusaders 41-28 in the second half. 

Newcomer and Nixa product Jalen Norman led the way for Evangel with 18 points and 6 rebounds and junior Nick Yocum added 16 points.  Senior Billy Thompson II posted a double-double for Evangel with 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

Dii'jon Allen-Jordan led all scorers putting in 23 points for Campbellsville. 

The loss puts Evangel's start at 0-1 while Campbellsville improved to 3-0 and is their second win over an NAIA-I team ranked in the top 10. 

Evangel is on the road again Friday when they play at NAIA II #21 Robert Morris (Ill.) at 5 p.m. in Chicago.

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