THE BASICS

Score: Evangel 65 – Stephens 66 (OT)

Records: Evangel (0-2); Stephens (1-1)

Location: Springfield, Mo. – Ashcroft Center

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A fourth-quarter lead slipped through the hands of the Evangel women's basketball team Friday night as Stephens College escaped with a 66-65 overtime victory in non-conference action. 

The Crusaders were held scoreless in the final two minutes of overtime as Paige Patterson gave Evangel a 65-63 lead with 2:08 left. However, the Crusaders sent the Stars to the free throw line with 1:17 left and Sadie Dugger made a pair of free throws cut the Evangel lead to one. 

Turnovers by both teams sent the ball back to Stephens giving Kendahl Adams a look at the free throw line to hit the game winner as time expired. Adams led Stephens with 18 points in the win. 

Evangel built a 30-25 halftime lead over the Stars and were able to extend the lead in the third quarter before falling cold I the fourth. 

Stephens rallied back with a 15-7 fourth quarter despite a game-high 23 points from Taylor Longley. Longley was 6-of-7 from behind the three-point line and was joined in double figures by Thalita Valerio who posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards.

Up Next
Evangel will make its first road trip on Monday as they head to St. Gregory's for their final non-conference matchup. Tip from Shawnee, Okla., is scheduled for 6 p.m. 

For the latest information on Evangel athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelAthletics or go to www.EvangelAthletics.com.

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