by OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 15 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (18-4, 13-2 SAC) earned their 10th victory in their last 11 games played, with a 73-68 performance at Mid-America Christian University (14-10, 7-9 SAC SAC). The Drovers have now defeated the Evangels FIVE times in a row!
With the win at MACU and a SAGU loss at JBU, the Drovers now move into sole possession of first place in the Sooner Athletic Conference Standings.
The Drovers got off to a strong start in the rivalry-game, jumping out to a 9-4 lead less than five minutes into the contest. However, MACU stormed back and took a 12-9 lead with 14 minutes until halftime. Midway through the opening half, MACU held a 20-17 advantage, but the Drovers responded and took a 37-32 lead into halftime.
Following halftime, MACU fought their way back to the lead, holding a 42-41 advantage less than five minutes into the second half. The Evangels used a 10-0 run to take a 52-43 lead with 12:48 remaining in regulation.
Midway through the second half the Drovers had cut the deficit to 52-49. With 3:56 remaining in the game, Stephon Hall (Mvskoke Creek) knocked down a pair of free-throws to cut tie the score at 63-63. Hall then gave the Drovers the 65-63 with a fast-break lay-up with less than three minutes to go. Gerard Makuntae (SR/Austell, GA) hit the go-ahead bucket, giving the Drovers a 67-65 lead on a lay-up with 1:26 on the clock. Stephon Hall delivered the knockout punch on a jump shot with 50 seconds remaining in regulation, pushing the Drovers lead to 69-66. Cameron Hines (SR/Ft. Cobb, OK) closed out the victory by knocking down four free-throws in the final seconds of the contest.
As a team, the Drovers offense experienced a lot of success in the paint but was ice cold from three-point range. Science & Arts went 28-67 (.418) from the field and just 1-15 (.067) from beyond the arc. Speaking on the Drovers dominance down low, they outscored the Evangels in the paint 40-26 and outrebounded MACU 46-43. Neither team shot the ball well from the free-throw line and both teams committed 13 turnovers in the hard-fought game.
Throughout the contest, the score was tied six times and there were eight lead changes.
Stephon Hall (Mvskoke Creek) was spectacular for the Drovers, nearly recording a triple-double. Hall closed with 23 points on 8-14 shooting from the field, and he added seven rebounds, eight assists, as well as three steals.
Rory Pantophlet (JR/Philipsburg, Sint Maarten) collected his fifth double-double of the season as he finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Gerard Makuntae contributed 11 points, three rebounds, and a trio of blocked shots.
Cameron Hines and Elvin Rodriguez (SR/New York, NY) each scored 10 points in the win. Additionally, Hines grabbed seven rebounds, while Rodriguez hauled in three boards.
Tre’veon Ellis (SR/Oklahoma City, OK) delivered four points and four rebounds in 19 minutes played off the bench.
