Box Score The Basics
Score: No. 15 MidAmerica Nazarene 74, Evangel 73 (OT)
Records: Evangel (13-9, 11-8); MidAmerica Nazarene (16-3, 16-2)
Location: Ashcroft Center
Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Megan Scott's basket with 4.5 seconds left in overtime lifted No. 15 MidAmerica Nazarene to a hard-fought 74-73 road victory over Evangel Saturday in Heart of America Athletic Conference action at the Ashcroft Center.
Trailing by a point, Scott took an inbounds pass and powered past the EU defense for the go-ahead bucket, and MNU's defense held its ground, as Abby Oliver's last-second baseline attempt was off the mark.
Using a late 10-0 scoring run, MNU rallied from a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime, then erased a four-point EU lead in the extra period to claim the victory. Scott converted two go-ahead field goals in the final 46 seconds, totaling 10 points, as one of four Pioneers to finish in double-figures.
The Pioneers overcame a 22-point afternoon by Oliver, who finished 3-of-4 from three-point range, including a string of eight straight EU points to ignite a 10-0 second-quarter scoring run.
Evangel used a strong start on the offensive end to build a six-point first-period lead. Brianna Vogts scored seven points for the Crusaders in the opening period, netting a pair of baskets that helped EU establish an 11-5 lead, just over three minutes into the contest.
MNU battled back behind the play of Mackenzie Loe, who went 3-of-4 from the floor to tally eight first-quarter points. The Pioneers scored five unanswered points to pull even at 15-15, but Kohnnar Patton's three-pointer from the left wing put the Crusaders back on top.
After trading the lead with the Pioneers three times in the first five minutes of the second period, the Crusaders turned to their defense to gain the upper hand. EU forced four turnovers and held MNU scoreless for over four minutes during a 10-0 scoring run that turned a 25-24 deficit into a nine-point lead with just under a minute to play in the half.
Oliver sparked the run by converting a pair of free throws to give EU the lead. The senior from Strafford, Mo., then knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to extend the lead to 32-25 with 1:22 left on the clock. Sadie Chisum completed the spurt with a pair of successful attempts from the foul line, as EU took a 34-27 edge into intermission.
Evangel, which forced 36 turnovers in Tuesday's victory over Graceland, maintained its defensive pressure against the Heart Conference South Division leading Pioneers, forcing 18 MNU turnovers in the opening half.
MNU used an 18-5 scoring run spanning the two halves to vault back in front in a third period that featured three ties and seven lead changes. Anna Roulston's bucket with 4:51 left in the quarter capped the scoring spurt and gave the Pioneers a 43-39 advantage.
But EU answered with a 13-4 run of its own, using three-pointers by Patton and Logan Jones, as well as four points from Alexis Roach, to seize a five-point edge.
The Crusaders led 56-55 with 7:28 left in regulation when Oliver and Zoey Mullings connected from long range to push the lead to seven. MNU promptly responded with 10 straight points, getting scoring contributions from four different players. TrEl'Shawn Smith's three-point play at the 2:27 mark put the Pioneers on top, but Bayley Harman delivered a game-tying triple for EU with 1:24 to play.
Both defenses turned in shutout performances from that point, as the two offenses combined to miss the final five field goal attempts of the period.
After Oliver scored the first two EU points of overtime, Harman registered four straight points to hand the Crusaders a 71-67 lead with just under two minutes left. But a Jordynn Gonzalez trey, followed by the first of Scott's two go-ahead baskets gave the visitors the lead once again.
Oliver drew a foul on the ensuing possession and sank a pair of free throws to give EU the one-point edge, before Scott powered home the deciding bucket in the closing seconds.
EU forced 26 turnovers for the game and limited MNU to 0.222 (4-of-18) shooting from beyond the arc. Harman recorded her 11th straight double-digit scoring effort, finishing with 10 point and seven rebounds to compliment Oliver's 22-point effort.
Loe led the Pioneers with 21 points, while Roulston tallied 17 and Smith added 15.
UP NEXT
Evangel will open play Wednesday (Feb. 24) in the Heart Conference Tournament. Seedings and game times will be announced at the conclusion of the league's regular-season slate this weekend.
For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EUAthletics, Twitter (@EUAthletics), or visit EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the new Evangel Crusaders GamedayApp through Google Play.
—EvangelAthletics.com—
