Evangel Christian couldn’t miss. The Eagles made 20-of-26 shots in the second half to pull away from the Helias Crusaders, building a 75-59 win Wednesday in the first round of the Joe Machens Great 8 Classic at Fleming Fieldhouse.
The Helias Crusaders have history on their side.
Helias has won 12 of its past 14 first-round games in the Joe Machens Great 8 Classic, so the Crusaders are quite familiar with the winner’s bracket in the three-day tournament, which begins today at Fleming Fieldhouse.
However, they’re also familiar with how difficult the first-round matchups can be, and the Evangel Christian Eagles from Louisville, Ky., check that box. Tip-off between the Crusaders and the Eagles is at 5:30 p.m.
For the third consecutive year, excluding 2020 when the tournament was a four-team round robin, the Helias Crusaders found themselves in the Joe Machens Great 8 Classic third-place game.
And for the third consecutive time, the Crusaders walked away with a win.
For years, the Jefferson City Jays have had to watch the championship game of their home tournament, the Joe Machens Great 8 Classic, from the stands, hoping the next year would be their chance to finally play for the title.
That chance finally came Friday night, and the Jays didn’t let the opportunity slip through their fingertips.
The Jefferson City Jays have a star in sophomore Jordan Martin. Time and time again Thursday night Martin delivered, tallying 32 points to lead Jefferson City to a 73-66 victory against The Webb School, Tenn., Feet in the semifinals of the Joe Machens Great 8 Classic at Fleming Fieldhouse.