OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 5, 2019) – Mid-America Christian came into the Eagles' Nest last season and surprised Oklahoma Christian, and the Evangels made it two straight over OC when the Lady Eagles visited the Gaulke Activity Center on Tuesday night.

Alexis Shannon poured in 30 points and MACU led most of the way, holding off a second-half rally by the Eagles to win 80-71 in a basketball game that counted on the Evangels' regular-season record but was an exhibition for OC.

OC shot a respectable 51 percent from the field (25 of 49) but committed 23 turnovers and was outrebounded by MACU 44-30. The Evangels took 19 more shots than did the Lady Eagles, a result of MACU – which competes in the NAIA and Sooner Athletic Conference – grabbing 19 offensive rebounds.

Freshman forward Emma Epperly scored 18 points and sophomore guard Shelby Sanderson had her finest collegiate game, scoring 16 points, but OC proved unable to stop Shannon for a second straight game – she had 41 in MACU's win last season. Sydney Wycoff added 18 points for the Evangels, hitting 4 of 6 3-point attempts.

OC's only lead came after the game's opening basket, a 3-pointer by Maddison Collyer. MACU led 21-18 by the end of the first quarter and 35-33 at halftime.

MACU started the second half on a 9-0 run to extend its lead to 44-33 on a basket by Shannon at the 6:58 mark of the third quarter and the Evangels led 49-37 after two free throws by Rachel Tapps at the 2:35 mark.

The Lady Eagles closed the gap to 55-48 on a buzzer-beating basket by Tyra Peck to end the quarter and a basket by Epperly tied the game at 57-57 with 8:07 left, capping a 20-8 run.

But Tapps hit a 2-pointer, Wycoff hit a 3-pointer and Tapps made two more free throws and MACU led 64-57 with 7:06 left. OC rallied once more, pulling within 68-67 on a 3-pointer by Kendra Levings with 4:37 left, before the Evangels scored nine straight points to put the game out of reach.

Katie Mayo added eight points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots for OC, while Peck and Levings also scored eight points.

OC will open the regular season on Nov. 16 at Southeastern Oklahoma State.