The Basics
Final: No. 16 Oklahoma Wesleyan 69, Evangel 45 | Final Stats
Records: Evangel (2-2); OKWU (5-0)
Site: Mueller Sports Center

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Oklahoma Wesleyan used a strong defensive performance to extend its hot start to the new season, as the 16th-ranked Eagles registered a 69-45 victory over the Valor Tuesday evening at the Mueller Sports Center.

OKWU limited Evangel to 0.288 (17-of-59) shooting and benefited from a strong effort from its bench to remain perfect on the season. The Eagles closed the game on a 36-17 scoring run and led by as many as 27 points in stopping the Valor's four-game road win streak.

A balanced Eagle offense was led by 11-point performances from Brandon Bird, Derrick Talton Jr. and Dylan Phillip. OKWU finished the night 25-of-60 (0.417) from the floor, while the Eagle reserves outscored the EU bench by a 34-18 margin.

A defensive battle in the first half saw the home club use a 6-0 run midway through the period to gain the upper hand. OKWU would take a 33-25 lead into halftime, before EU's Cade Coffman pulled the Valor to within five points on his three-pointer just 55 seconds into the second stanza.

But it would be the Eagles who took control from that point. OKWU scored the next seven points before EU's next bucket—a Coffman layup at the 14:18 mark—then rattled off an 8-2 spurt over the ensuing four minutes to extend its lead to 16.

Evangel would momentarily slice its deficit to 48-36, but the Eagles countered with another big run to seal the outcome. OKWU closed the game on a 21-9 run, capping a night that saw 13 different Eagles find their way into the scoring column.

Coffman led Evangel with a season-high 19 points, while Stephen Salvi contributed 10 points and five rebounds off the Valor bench.

UP NEXT
Evangel returns to Springfield this weekend to take part in the BBC Classic at W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse. The Valor will face off against Columbia College at 3 p.m., Friday (Nov. 12) afternoon, before taking on Arkansas Baptist Saturday in a 4:30 p.m., matchup.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.  

—#OneValor—