Story courtesy of Evangel Sports Information

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Evangel (Mo.) University head basketball Steve Jenkins won the 500th game of his head coaching career as his Crusaders held off MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) for an 81-70 win at the Ashcroft Center Thursday night (Jan. 14).

Jenkins, now in his 28th season with the Crusaders, saw his team take a 39-34 lead at halftime then build a double-digit lead midway through the second half.

Crusaders forward Jonathan Huskisson had career highs with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Huskisson was 8 for 13 from the floor and made 4 of his 6 three-point attempts. Chad Gillaspy added 23 points for Evangel.

MidAmerica Nazarene guard Brenton Bell had a game-high 29 points on 9 of 23 shooting. The Pioneers were 2 for 17 from three-point range while the Crusaders were 8 for 15 from behind the three-point arc.

Evangel's next game is at home against Culver-Stockton on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Jenkins Milestone Wins:

Win            Date                          Opponent                                         Score

#1              Nov. 13 , 1982         Missouri Valley                                76-69

#100          Feb. 10, 1990          at Baker                                            61-58

#200          Jan. 22, 1996          Graceland                                        90-75

#250          Feb. 5, 1998            Baker                                                67-61

#300          Jan. 20, 2000          at Graceland                                    73-60

#346          Mar. 13, 2002          vs Robert Morris (Nat. Tourn.)      84-61 (NAIA-II title game)

#350          Dec. 3, 2002            at Benedictine                                 66-53

#400          Nov. 4, 2005            vs Park (at MNU Classic)              80-63

#450          Dec. 1, 2007            Culver-Stockton                              72-54

#499          Jan. 9, 2010             Benedictine                                     85-63

#500          Jan. 14, 2010          MidAmerica Nazarene                   81-70