Men's Basketball couldn't complete a second-half comeback in a loss to Evangel University Saturday.

The Ravens lost 84-78 on their home court.

Trailing by 5 points at halftime, the Ravens closed to within 1 point, 57-56, with 10:35 to play when Ahmad Louis knocked down a 3-pointer. The Crusaders answered in a strong way, rattling off 6-straight points to go back up by 7.

With 4:11 left on the clock, Jayden Temme made a free throw to pull the Ravens within 1 point again, but again the Crusaders answered. Evangel's Cade Coffman hit a 3-pointer, Edriel Martinborough made a basket and then Josh Pritchett scored in the paint to give the Crusaders a 76-68 lead. The Ravens couldn't get closer than 4 points the remainder of the way, mainly because the Crusaders didn't miss a free throw in the second half. They made all 17 from the stripe in the second half and were 20-of-21 in the game. Coffman finished with 21 for the Crusaders and Martinborough added 19 points.

The Crusaders held the lead for a majority of the first half, gaining a big advantage with rebounding. Evangel grabbed 24 rebounds, with nine of those coming on the offensive end to help lead to 10 second-chance points in the opening half. The Ravens had 15 boards in the first 20 minutes.

Evangel held a 13-point lead late in the half, but a 3-pointer by Eric Krus, a basket in the paint by Nysir Scott, and then a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Matt Austin pulled the Ravens to within 5 points, 37-32, at the break.

Evangel entered the game allowing opponents to shoot 40% from the field, which is exactly the percentage the Ravens finished with Saturday. While the Ravens were able to continue their strong shooting from outside, converting on 43.3% from deep, it was Evangel's length inside that prevented the Ravens from scoring easily near the basket. Just 20 of the Ravens 78 points came in the paint.

Krus led the Ravens with 18 points and Austin added 16, Jaiden Bristol scored 14 and Temme had 12. The Crusaders (6-3, 5-0 Heart) out-rebounded the Ravens 41-33.

The Ravens (8-3, 5-2 Heart) have a long break before Heart actions continues in 2021. They'll host Missouri Valley College on Wednesday, Jan. 6.