Springfield, Mo. – Evangel advanced to the Heart of America conference tournament championship game with a 98-89 win over Peru State in the league semifinals Saturday night at the Ashcroft Center.

The Crusaders never trailed in the game and jumped out to a 13-5 lead in the first five minutes of the game. Evangel held a 43-33 lead at halftime and led by as much as 19 in the second half before the Bobcats rallied within nine late in the game.

Korry Tillery tallied his 20^th double-double of the year for Evangel and he led both teams with 28 points and 16 rebounds. Nick Yocum added a career high 22 points for the Crusaders.

Corday Sims and Jamar Cannon had 18 points each to lead Peru State.

Evangel shot a season high 58 percent from the field going 30 for 52 including 6 for 12 from three-point range. They also connected on 32 of 37 free throw attempts.

The win gave Evangel their 20^th win of the season marking the 10^th year in a row the Crusaders have won at least 20 games in a season. The streak extends what is already a program record which was set on Evangel's fourth straight 20-win season from 2006-2009.

Evangel will host the HAAC tournament championship game Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Missouri Valley. The Vikings, seeded third on the conference bracket, won at second seeded Benedictine 69-65.

HAAC Semifinals

#1 EVANGEL 98 #5 Peru State 89

#3 Missouri Valley 69 #2 Benedictine 65

HAAC Quarterfinals

#1 EVANGEL 73 #8 Avila 63

#5 Peru State 92 #4 Culver-Stockton 89

#3 Missouri Valley 65 #6 MidAmerica Nazarene 62

#2 Benedictine 75 #7 Central Methodist 62