Box Score
|
Sat., Feb. 28 – Ashcroft CTR
|
FINAL
|
|
#19 Benedictine (23-7, 12-6)
|
73
|
|
#16 CRUSADERS (18-11, 13-5)
|
62
|
Springfield, Mo. – 19th ranked Benedictine held Evangel to eight made field goals in the second half as they won in Springfield 73-62 Saturday.
The Crusaders were 8 for 30 from the field in the second half as Benedictine outscored Evangel 45-31 in the half. Evangel owned a 31-28 lead at halftime and led by as much as five in the second half. The Crusaders had a 41-39 lead with 13:39 left but would not score from the field again for nearly five minutes.
Benedictine went on a 19-8 run midway through the half to pull away.
Evangel shot just 33 percent from field in the game hitting 19 of 57 shots while the Ravens went 22 for 42 for a 52 percent game from the floor.
Korry Tillery had 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead both teams in both categories. Richard Chapman added 15.
Benedictine had five players in double figures including Jallen Messersmith and John Harris, Jr. who had 13 each.
The Ravens win clinches second place in the conference and an automatic bid to the NAIA-I national tournament for Benedictine. The Ravens improved to 23-7 and 12-6 in the Heart of America conference.
Evangel, who had clinched the conference regular season title, went to 18-11 and 13-5.
The Crusaders earned a first round HAAC Tournament bye and home court advantage throughout the league postseason. They will host the winner of eighth seeded Avila and ninth seeded Baker on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the conference quarterfinals.
##
