March 13, 2008

Point Lookout, Mo. - Sixth seed Evangel (Mo.) sprinted out to a 16-0 lead and never looked back in their 73-48 victory over Menlo (Calif.) in the final first round game at the 2008 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. The 17^th-annual event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of the College of the Ozarks (Mo.). 

The Crusaders led by as much as 30 in the first half and cruised to their fifth appearance in the round of the Sweet Sixteen.

Tim Dial led a balanced Evangel scoring effort with 18 points, going a perfect 9-of-9 from the field.  Jackson Capel chipped in 14 points for the Crusaders, who shot 51% for the game. Evangel controlled the glass, 43-28, led by Dial and Chad Gillaspy with six boards each.

Menlo was held to 32% from the field, just 20% in the first half. Brandon Cochran was the only Oaks player in double figures with 12. Making their third appearance to the national tournament, Menlo ends the season with an 18-10 record.

The Crusaders, now 28-6 overall on the season, are the final team to advance to the second round. They will play #11 Oregon Tech Friday night at 9:15 pm. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 18.