The Basics
Final: Evangel 78, Benedictine 67 | Final Stats
Records: Evangel (9-2, 3-0); Benedictine (7-5, 1-2)
Site: Ashcroft Center

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – With its six-game win streak on the line, Evangel returned home to face off with Heart Conference foe Benedictine. A dominant defensive effort and solid all-around team scoring would push the Valor to a seventh-straight victory with a 78-67 decision over the visiting Ravens at the Ashcroft Center.

The beginning of the game saw the Valor start out hot. A quick 10-2 run fueled by four different Valor scorers would force a Benedictine timeout. Unfortunately for the Ravens, the timeout would not stifle the EU offense. Quick baskets by Stephen Salvi and Pavel Antonov, as well as a three-pointer from Edriel Martinborough would find Benedictine in a 24-8 hole.

Evangel's defense was a highlight of the first half, as it took Benedictine 13:55 to finally reach double-digits in points scored. With 4:18 remaining in the half, a Martinborough jumper would give EU their biggest advantage of the night--a 31-10 cushion. 

Although EU gave the Ravens all they wanted, Benedictine would not back down. In the last four minutes of the first half, BC would use a 16-4 run to cut the EU lead down to just nine points, but a Josh Pritchett buzzer-beating three-pointer would give the Valor a 12-point lead heading into the locker room. Manrique Alvarado would lead the Valor with seven first-half points to go along with four assists and three steals. Cade Coffman added six points to the Valor's halftime total.

Coming out of halftime, it looked as if Evangel was ready to finish the game off. The first five minutes of the half saw EU go on a 14-10 run fueled by three consecutive Coffman three-pointers.

With the score 52-36 in the Valor's favor, Benedictine would begin to push the pace. A quick Nysir Scott three would be the spark for a 12-0 BC run that ultimately made it a four-point game with 11:16 left on the clock.

Evangel would answer with a 8-3 run of its own, but Benedictine would not go away. The Ravens tallied six unanswered points to slice the EU advantage to just three points.

The Ravens got no closer, however, as a layup by Alvarado and a steal that would lead to a Pritchett dunk would give EU the momentum once again. Evangel pushed its lead back to 12 points with four minutes remaining and never looked back.

Coffman led Evangel with 17 points and tacked on five rebounds. Pritchett was efficient shooting 50-percent from the floor, finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Alvarado rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Valor, finishing with 15 points, six assists, and five steals.

In a game where Evangel never trailed, the Valor would edge Benedictine on the glass by a narrow 32-29 margin, whille the EU defense forced 23 BC turnovers, which EU converted into 32 points.

UP NEXT

Evangel will take aim at its eighth-straight victory when it meets MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe, Kan., at 4:00 p.m., Saturday (Dec. 11).

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—