OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Feb. 11, 2010) – Jeff Crocker sealed the deal for the Eagles with a last second jumper to give the Eagles a 75-73 victory over Mid-America Christian University (Okla.) on Thursday night in the Eagles' Nest.
Despite the game decision coming down to the last seconds of the game, the Eagles never ceded their lead against MACU.
Jeff Crocker and Jason Taylor got the Eagles rolling from the start and gave the Eagles a five-point lead off the bat. After the Evangels responded to tie up the game, the Eagles held steady taking to a 10-point lead with 13:23 left during the first period.
The Mid-America Christian men didn't surrender, however, as they used the next three minutes to tie up the game for the second time at 20-20 with just under ten minutes left in the half.
After several exchanged baskets, the Eagles went on a 10-3 run to regain an eight-point margin on the Evangels. With 55 seconds left before halftime, the Evangels set close at the Eagles' feet just four points behind. After regaining possession, Crocker allowed the clock to run down before setting up Michael Hill with an alley-oop dunk to end the period ahead by six.
Crocker started the Eagles' momentum during the second half with a three-pointer as the Eagles jumped to a 16-point lead with 12:15 left in the game.
The Evangels then responded with defensive pressure and offensive strategy that took them on a 12-2 run to come within six points of the Eagles with 7:30 remaining.
With 4:21 left to play, the Eagles again led by 10 before submitting to a MACU 12-2 run that tied the game at 73-73 with 36 seconds remaining. Eagles' possession, Crocker allowed the clock to run before passing to Taylor who returned it back out to Crocker as he shot with just 4 seconds left to score the game winning basket.
Crocker finished up with 17 points and eight assists for the night. Taylor held true underneath the basket to put up 19 points for the Eagles. Taylor grabbed nine rebounds and made six assists and three steals in the process.
David Jackson put up 11 points of his own against the Evangels and made six steals for the Eagles. Andre Vaughn tallied 10 points for the night and grabbed seven rebounds.
The victory betters the Eagles' season record to 18-6 and leaves them at 10-6 for conference play.
Alongside the Lady Eagles, the Eagles will play cross-town rival Oklahoma City University on Saturday. The women's game tips off at 3 p.m. followed by the men's game at 5.
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