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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A career-high 27 points from Cody Geiger helped the Evangel men’s basketball team soar to a 104-95 victory over No. 24 Graceland Wednesday night in conference action.
Evangel jumped out to an early lead and never trailed in the game leading by as many as 19 points early in the second half. The Crusaders eclipsed the 100 point mark for the first time since January 19, 2005, vs. MidAmerica Nazarene.
Evangel tied a season-high 12 three-pointers in the second win over a team ranked in the NAIA Top 25 this season. The Crusaders were 9-of-13 in the first half from behind the three-point line and finished 24-of-32 from the free-throw line as well to help seal the win.
Geiger added six rebounds to go with his career-high 27 points as Nick Yocum scored 23 points. Yocum was 5-of-8 behind the three-point line and moved into fifth place on the all-time Evangel three-point list passing Spud Harbour.
Graceland was led by 22 points from RJ Williams as the Yellowjackets had won two straight in conference play.
Reggine Brown scored a game-high 24 points but it wasn’t enough as the Evangel women’s basketball team lost another heartbreaker, 80-86, Wednesday night in conference action.
The Crusaders trailed by 19 with 1:47 left in the first half as Graceland took just a 46-44 lead at halftime.
Evangel continued to battle in the second half as a pair of free throws from Brown gave the Crusaders their first lead with 4:13 left. Graceland would answer on the ensuing possession to retake the lead. The Yellowjackets also held Evangel to just three free throws over the last 2:21 of the game to hold on for the win.
Graceland was near the 50 percent mark from the field as Evangel knocked down 10 three-pointers. However, the Yellowjackets were able to hang on handing the Crusaders their third loss in four games.
The Yellowjackets were led by Tristen McFeders who scored 18 points and added five assists.
