The Basics
Score: Evangel 101, Kansas Christian College 27
Records: Evangel (1-0), Kansas Christian College (0-2)
Location: Ashcroft Center

Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Using a stifling defense and a balanced offensive attack that featured five players in double-figures, the Evangel women's basketball team logged an impressive 101-27 season-opening victory over Kansas Christian College Friday evening at the Ashcroft Center.

The Crusaders (1-0) held an opponent under 30 points for the first time since 1979, with KCC's 27 points representing the second-lowest single-game point total for an Evangel opponent in the history of the program. EU recorded 30 steals, forced 37 total turnovers and limited the Falcons (0-2) to eight total field goals and 20-percent shooting for the game.

Offensively, 13 different EU players cracked the scoring column, led by Brianna Vogts 14 points, as the Crusaders shot 44.7 percent from the field.

"We're super proud of how the girls stuck with it defensively for the full 40 minutes," head coach Megan Leuzinger stated. "This is a game we can continue to build on and learn from. I saw a lot of great things offensively from us as well. It's always great to start the season with a win."

EU wasted little time in gaining control of the contest, using a 16-0 first-quarter run to establish a sizable lead that KCC would never threaten. After Chialaine Josapha's three-pointer just 56 seconds into the contest gave KCC its only lead of the night at 3-2, the Evangel defense would go to work, holding the Falcons without a field goal until the 1:00 mark of the first period.

Vogts scored the Crusaders' first eight points over a two-and-a-half minute stretch, before five straight points by Logan Jones capped the spurt that handed the home club an 18-3 advantage.

The second period would see the Crusaders stretch their lead to 36, with nine different players scoring as part of a 28-7 run. EU shot 0.432 (19-of-44) from the floor in the half, including 5-of-15 from beyond the arc.

Evangel turned up the defensive pressure in the third quarter, outscoring the Falcons 30-2 to push the margin to 82-21 by the end of the period. Alexis Roach converted a four-point play in scoring six points in the period, before Courtney Austin sank back-to-back treys to tally the final eight points of the quarter.

Freshman Mia Mills converted three straight field goals early in the fourth, before Taylor Arnold's three with just over a minute to play put the Crusaders over the 100-point mark for the first time since Nov. 22, 2013 (107 vs. Central Christian). 

In addition to Vogts 14-point night, Jones totaled 11 points in her first action as a Crusader, while Roach, Austin and Zoey Mullings each recorded 10-point efforts to open the season. Mullings added five steals, eight rebounds, a pair of assists and a blocked shot, and Desi Smith chipped in with eight points, five steals and four assists for EU.

Evangel converted 16-of-20 attempts at the foul line and outrebounded KCC by a whopping 56-26 margin. Its 27 points allowed trails only a 23-point night by Park on Feb. 17, 1979 on the list of Evangel defensive gems.

Jada Johnson led KCC with 13 points and Josapha added eight.

Up Next 

Evangel embarks on its first road trip of the season with a Noon game at Oakland City (Ind.) next Saturday (Nov. 7).

—EvangelAthletics.com—