SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel men's basketball team returns to the Ashcroft Center Saturday to host Mount Mercy in Heart of America Athletic Conference action.
SERIES HISTORY
Evangel trails Mount Mercy 3-1 in the all-time series as the teams meet for just the fifth time. Since joining the league, Mount Mercy has won each meeting against the Crusaders, with Evangel's one win coming in tournament play in 2013.
OPENING STORYLINES
► Evangel men's basketball closes out the 2018 calendar looking to snap a nine-game skid. The Crusaders have lost four of the nine games by 10 or fewer points including a two-point loss to then No. 11 Central Methodist. The early-season schedule for the Crusaders has been equally tough with five nationally ranked teams through the first 11 games of the season
► Evangel and Mount Mercy will meet for just the fifth time in basketball as the Mustangs hold a 3-1 lead in the all-time series since joining the Heart of America in 2016-17. Since joining the league, Mount Mercy has won each meeting against the Crusaders, with Evangel's one win coming in tournament play in 2013.
► Four freshmen have worked their way into the rotation and each has led the Crusaders in scoring.
Cade Coffman has led the Crusaders in the last three games with 18 points last Saturday.
Edriel Martinborough and
Ike Egwu have also led Evangel in scoring, while
Pavel Antonov (4.6) is second in rebounding behind Coffman (6.0) who ranks 8th nationally in offensive rebounding.
LOOKING AHEAD
Evangel heads into Christmas break before returning to the court in January when they start a road trip on Jan. 3 at Culver-Stockton.
For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EUAthletics or go to www.EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the Go Evangel Front Row App at EvangelAthletics.com/FrontRow available on Google Play and in the App Store.
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