Phillip Dowden (Evangel Sports Information) SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel men’s basketball team fell 83-73 Monday night in conference play to Central Methodist inside the Ashcroft Center.
The Crusaders cut the Eagles’ lead to seven points, 71-64 with 3:03 left in the game, however, Evangel would get no closer as Central Methodist pushed the lead back to double digits at the 2:14 mark. The Eagles would hang on to the lead making eight consecutive free throws in the final two minutes.
Evangel was 8-of-12 from the free throw line while the Eagles finished 24-of-33 to shoot 72 percent.
Richard Chapman led the Crusaders with 21 points and nine rebounds in the loss. Chapman also made four of the Crusaders nine three-pointers.
Josue Levy and Clark Brewington also finished in double figures as Levy added 12 points and Brewington tallied 11.
Cole Adair also had a game-high 21 points and nine boards for the Eagles.
Women
The Evangel women’s basketball team was unable to hold off 16th-ranked Central Methodist, 77-75, as two last second shots fell off the mark Monday night conference action.
The Crusaders, looking for their second straight upset of a ranked opponent, took a 37-35 lead into halftime. However, 23 turnovers were too much for Evangel to overcome down the stretch as the Eagles held on for the win.
Allison Swanson posted her fourth straight double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds for Evangel. Swanson was one of three Crusaders to finish in double figures as Madi Johnson tallied 16 points and Taylor Longley tallied 10 points and five steals.
DaJonee Hale led the way for Central Methodist with 25 points and three rebounds as both teams wrapped up the first half of conference play.
