2015-16 MEN'S BASKETBALL

Evangel Crusaders (6-22, 5-15) vs. #10 MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers (22-6, 16-4)

Game # 29 / Heart Game # 21 – Wed., Feb. 24 – 7:30 p.m.

Springfield, Mo. – Ashcroft Center (1,200)

Evangel Live Broadcast Coverage:

Live Video, Audio: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/evangel/   

Radio, In Ashcroft CTR: 90.5 FM

Game Notes

Evangel faces an MNU team looking to clinch Heart title: Evangel plays their final home game of the year Wednesday against a MidAmerica Nazarene team looking to win a conference championship and obtain a milestone for their legendary head coach. 

The Pioneers are 22-6, 16-4 in the conference and ranked 10th in NAIA-I. A win at the Ashcroft Center by MidAmerica Nazarene would secure them the first overall seed in the league playoffs and an automatic bid to the national tournament. Head coach Rocky Lamar, a NAIA Hall of Fame inductee in 2014, will also be looking for his 700th career win on Wednesday as he carries a 699-370 lifetime record in his 30 years as head coach. Dave Holmquist at Biola (Calif.) and Bob Burchard at Columbia (Mo.) are the only other two active head coaches in the 700 win club in NAIA-I. 

Evangel is 6-22 and 5-15 in the Heart of America. The Crusaders will look to snap six game losing streak. The Crusaders are 2-2 against ranked teams in NAIA-I and are 0-6 this season against teams with losing records. Evangel's 20-loss season is their first since 1995-96 when they finished 9-23 and in 7th place in the conference standings. The Crusaders are mathematically out of the league tournament race with the top 10 in the 12-team league qualifying for the postseason. It marks the first time since 1989 Evangel has not advanced to the postseason in the conference, NAIA District 16 or NAIA national tournament. 

Wednesday's game is a rematch of the 72-70 thriller won by MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe, Kansas on Jan. 14. Justin Randall's 18-foot shot was the game-winner with two seconds remaining. Evangel has a one-game lead in the all-time series, 35-34.