The Basics

Final: Evangel 58, No. 18 Clarke 61 | Final Stats

Records: Evangel (5-6); No. 18 Clarke (9-2)

Site: Kehl Center

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Evangel kicked off road conference play on Saturday afternoon against NAIA ranked No. 18 Clarke. Despite fighting tough and keeping the game close, the Valor fell short of pulling off the upset in Iowa, losing 58-61.

In the first quarter, Clarke would come out hot, going on a quick 7-0 run to grab the lead. Trailing 7-0, the Valor would find their answer to the Pride's quick run, by going on a 17-8 run to finish the quarter, leading 17-15. Bayley Harman fueled the Valor run with 7 points to lead all Valor scorers.

By the second quarter, EU gave the No. 18 team in the nation all they wanted. A quick 6-0 Valor run that saw Alexis Roach score two baskets would cause Clarke to call a timeout with EU leading 23-15. Unfortunately for the Valor, they would not be able to extend their lead, as they grew cold from the field and would not score for five minutes until Harman put in a jumper. Clarke would trim down the Valor lead and ultimately tie the game up with :09 remaining in the first half, to head to the halftime break all knotted up at 27 a piece. Harman led the EU scorers at halftime with 9 points.

The third quarter would continue to be a back and forth affair between the two teams. EU would match nearly every Clarke basket until Clarke would go on a 9-4 run to grab a lead by the end of the quarter. Sadie Chisum would stop the bleeding for EU with a jumper with :06 remaining in the quarter. By the buzzer, EU would only trail Clarke 42-46, with a chance to pull off the upset.

In the fourth quarter, Evangel would fight tooth and nail to keep up with Clarke. After beginning the quarter matching basket for basket, the Valor would go on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 54 off two Zoey Mullings baskets and a Jazzy Kirby jumper. With 2 and a half minutes remaining in the game, Clarke would answer the Valor run and go on a small 4-0 run. With :45 on the clock, Alexis Cauthon would hit a huge jump shot to pull within two of the nationally ranked team. Clarke would race down the floor and ultimately be fouled by Harman and Clarke's Giana Michels would hit two free throws to regain their four point lead. It would be EU's Kirby who would hit another clutch shot for EU to thin the margin back to only two. With the shot clock turned off, EU was forced to foul. Michels would hit only one of her free throws to give the Valor a chance to tie up the game. With :08 on the clock, Chisum would get up a jump shot at the top of the key, but the shot would not fall, and Clarke would come away with the victory, 58-61.

Mullings led Evangel with 16 points (7-of-13 FG) and was the only Evangel scorer to reach double digits. Sarah Lwambo and Mullings led the Valor with 5 rebounds a piece. Harman would grab 4 steals to lead EU.

UP NEXT

Evangel will head home for their home conference opener on Tuesday, December 7th at 5:30 p.m. against Benedictine.

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.  

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