The Basics
Score: Evangel 73, Avila 85
Records: Evangel (4-19, 3-11); Avila (9-10, 8-6)
Location: Springfield, Mo. | Ashcroft Center
Box Score

By: Derek Roberts (Evangel Media Relations)
ATCHISON, Kan. – It was a tale of two halves as the Evangel women's basketball team fell 85-73 to the Avila Eagles Wednesday night in the Ashcroft Center.

The first half saw a healthy balance of both three-point shooting and inside scoring between the two teams. The Lady Eagles and Crusaders were either tied up or changed leads a total of nine times within the first quarter. However, Evangel was able to hold a slim lead of 22-18 at the end of the first quarter.

Evangel shot 50 percent from the floor in the first half, 80 percent from the three-point line, and shot a perfect 14 for 14 at the free throw line, all while taking advantage of 10 Eagle turnovers.

Three Lady Crusaders finished with double digits in scoring in the first half alone. Kylee Moore tallied 11 points while Alison Jarrell and Sydnee Garrett added 10 points of their own.

After trading the first two baskets to begin the second half, Avila went on a 20-3 scoring run, giving them a seven-point lead before forcing the Lady Crusaders to take a timeout. The Eagles didn't stop getting to the basket and eventually grew its lead to a game-high of 19 points with 5:26 left in the game, before allowing Evangel to close the game on an 11-4 run.

Avila had three players finish with 20 or more points. Raven Bunn led the team with 24 points, while Matti Morgan dropped 22 and Taylor Faulkner added 21.

Evangel was led by Sydnee Garrett with 19 points. Mackenzie Farmer added 14 points in the effort.

The Crusaders next game is Saturday against conference opponent, Culver-Stockton Wildcats as the 1986 NCCAA National Champion Women's Basketball team will be honored and inducted into the Evangel Hall of Fame. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelAthletics or go to www.EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the Go Evangel Front Row App at EvangelAthletics.com/FrontRow available on Google Play and in the App Store.

---www.EvangelAthletics.com---