The Basics

Final: Evangel 80, Missouri Valley 67 | Final Stats

Records: Evangel (9-9, 5-3); Missouri Valley (10-7, 4-4)

Site: Ashcroft Center

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – On Wednesday evening, Evangel played host to the Vikings of Missouri Valley, looking for their fifth consecutive conference victory. The Vikings played spoiler to EU's home return, taking the victory 80-67, snapping the Valor's four game conference winning streak.

The Valor began the game and spent most of the first half in the driver's seat. EU went on a 9-0 run to take a 21-10 lead, thanks to balanced team play on offense. Isabella Regalado hit a three for the Vikings to end the first quarter, with the Valor leading, 21-13. Sophie Sparks led the way for EU, scoring seven points at the end of one.

The second quarter proved to slightly benefit the Vikings as they cut the Valor lead from eight to seven. A Logan Jones jumper pushed the Valor lead to 11, but MVC found a spark to go on a 4-0 run to cut the EU lead down and make it a 38-31 halftime score. Zoey Mullings and Sparks fueled the Valor's halftime lead with 9 points a piece.

The Vikings completely turned momentum to their favor in the third quarter. A 14-1 run to open the half for the Vikings gave Missouri Valley the lead, which they never relinquished. The Valor grew cold from the floor, only hitting five of their shots in the quarter, while the Vikings nailed 11 shots to push their lead to 61-49 at the end of the third quarter. Mullings had a team high 13 points with only one quarter remaining.

In the fourth and final quarter, the Vikings continued their hot shooting streak, expanding their lead to as much as 21. With 5:30 remaining, Missouri Valley led 72-51, and EU had only hit one shot in that span. In the final five minutes, the Valor cut down the Viking lead to 12, thanks to Mullings hitting several jumpers, but the run came too late, as the Vikings took home the victory, 80-67.

The Valor had two players to score in double digits. Led by Mullings 16, Sparks tacked on an additional 11, thanks to a first quarter where she hit three of her six shots. Mullings led EU with eight rebounds and recorded four assists.

UP NEXT

Evangel will stay at home on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 15), as they take on Culver-Stockton at 12:00 p.m. in the Ashcroft Center. 

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—