Springfield, Mo. – Evangel hung on for a 45-42 win over Avila at the Ashcroft Center on Wednesday. 

The Eagles had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer but Hannah Long's three-point try from the corner off the mark giving the Crusaders the win. 

Evangel survived despite shooting 33 percent from the field hitting 13 of 50 shots and committing 25 turnovers. The Crusaders held Avila to 32 percent shooting, 0 for 8 from three-point ranged and forced 20 turnovers from the Eagles. 

"It was a good win for us as I thought Avila gave a great effort and played hard but we found a way to hold on," said head coach Leon Neal. "I thought our defense carried us as we didn't take great shots or run great offense, but I was proud of our effort defensively." 

Evangel led 25-17 and at halftime but Avila pulled within a point of the lead, 35-34 after three quarters. Evangel's biggest lead in the fourth quarter was only four points but they never relinquished the lead in the second half. 

Reggine Brown had 15 points to lead Evangel. Raven Bunn had 19 points for Avila to lead all scorers. 

Evangel improved to 4-7 and 3-3 in the Heart of America conference. Avila dropped their eleventh straight and fell to 1-12 and 0-6 in the league. 

The Crusaders travel to William Penn for their next game on Saturday. Tipoff is 2 p.m. in Oskaloosa, Iowa on Saturday.

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