The Basics
Score: Evangel 90, Baker 81
Records: Evangel (8-21, 6-12); Baker (12-14, 6-12)
Location: Springfield, Mo. | Ashcroft Center
Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A big second half by the Evangel men's basketball team propelled the Crusaders to a 90-81 victory Wednesday night over Heart South Division rival Baker University.

The Crusaders outscored the Wildcats 53-37 in the second half and held Baker to just 36 percent shooting from the field while going 7-of-13 from behind the three-point line and shooting 63 percent from the field.

Evangel trailed 44-37 at halftime and trail by as many as 10 in the second half. Jacob Smith made the first free throw of the night for the Crusaders coming with 8:51 left in the game to pull Evangel within, 60-58.

From there the Crusaders opened an 18-2 run on the Wildcats over the next three minutes to build a 79-70 lead with 1:56 left in the game.

The spark was led by Dylan Bekemeier, Luke Call, and Clark Brewington. The trio made 13 of the 14 three-pointers by the Crusaders as Bekemeier finished with a game-high 32 points. The senior finished what was likely his final home game in an Evangel jersey going 12-of-14 from the free throw line, all coming in the second half.

Call added 23 points for Evangel while Brewington finished with 17 points. The Crusaders also added 24 assists on 29 field goals in the win, led by six assists from Scott Blakeslee.

Baker was led by 21 points from Tyree Peter in the loss.

Evangel travels to Clarke on Saturday to close out the regular season. The Crusaders first round opponent will come down to the outcome of games on Saturday, which could send Evangel to either Peru State or Graceland.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelAthletics 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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