Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY -- When attempting to spring an upset on a team that has already defeated you twice during the 2021-22 season, it is essential to take advantage of every shortcoming the opposition might display.  Early in the Gaulke Activities Center here Tuesday (Feb. 22), it appeared the visiting University of North Texas at Dallas might have found that weakness before host Mid-America Christian ended the night with a 83-72 victory.
     Battling in Round One of the Sooner Athletic Conference playoffs, MACU started the evening stone cold, going without a single goal in the first six minutes. Advantage UNTD.  And even after the Stars fought their way back midway through the first half, taking a 15-12 lead at 11:22, the visitors quickly responded with a promising 7-1 run.
     Then, however, the hosts took over, mounting a 40-29 halftime lead before holding off a late game comeback by the visitors to achieve their 20^th victory of the season and a date against nationally-ranked Southwest Assemblies of God in a quarterfinal match Friday in Waxahachie. 
     Ultimately, a key difference was at the margin at the free throw line where the Evangels connected on 18, twice what UNTD managed.
     Coach Josh Howard's Trailblazers ended their first year as a full member of the SAC with a 12-18 record.
     Christian Plummer paced the UNTD scoring with 17 points with Rodrick Gains the only other Trailblazer in double figures with 11. DeAndre Robinson led the rebounding with eight.
     Tony Dorsey and Caleb Riggs led MACU with 18 and 16 points respectively.