SPRINGFIELD – The Evangel men’s basketball team was unable to hang on to a first half lead Saturday falling 76-63 to Mount Mercy in conference action.
The Crusaders took a 40-33 lead into halftime after forcing 11 turnovers. However, the Mustangs shot 60 percent in the second half and controlled the glass 37-29 to rally for the win.
Mount Mercy went on a 10-0 run at the 10:41 mark to build a 60-51 lead. Both teams would fall cold down the stretch, but Mount Mercy would get a three-pointer from CJ Parker with 5:42 left in the game to keep the lead at 10 points.
Evangel scored just four points over the final 4:54 of the game and was 0-for-9 from behind the three-point line in the second half.
Cody Geiger led the Crusaders with 19 points and five rebounds as Nick Yocum add 12 points and three assists.
The Mustangs were led by Ben Struss who scored 16 points in the win.
Up Next
Evangel heads north to face Benedictine Monday as second half league action continues. Tipoff from Atchison, Kansas, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
