The Basics
Final: Evangel 76, Park 66 | Final Stats
Records: Evangel (11-4, 4-2); Park (7-4, 2-3)
Site: Ashcroft Center

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Behind a balanced attack that featured five double-figure scorers and a dominant effort on the boards, Evangel registered a 76-66 Heart of America Athletic Conference victory over Park Wednesday evening at the Ashcroft Center.

Led by Edriel Martinborough's 16 points and Josh Pritchett's double-double (15 points, 10 assists), the Valor seized control of the contest with a 10-0 first-half scoring run, then stretched its advantage to as many as 19 points in the second stanza before holding off the Pirates' late comeback attempt.

After Park narrowed the gap to two points on a Quez Williamson jumper early in the second half, EU tallied 11 unanswered points as part of a decisive stretch that handed the home club a 61-42 lead with just under 11 minutes to play. Five different EU players scored during the outburst, including Stephen Salvi, who capped the 19-2 run by scoring five-straight points.

The Pirates fought back by holding EU without a field goal for more than eight minutes and shaving 13 points off of their deficit to make it a contest once again.

But the Valor had an answer of its own, using back-to-back Cade Coffman baskets to push the margin back into double digits.

Evangel was able to withstand Park's late rally thanks to a strong combined rebounding performance that resulted in a +14 margin (48-34) on the boards for the Valor. Jace Coffie paced that effort with a game-high eight rebounds off the bench, while both Coffman and Martinborough finished with seven boards.

Despite its lengthy second-half dry spell from the floor, EU bounced back from a 0.385 first-half shooting effort to convert 13-of-28 (0.464) field-goal attempts after intermission.

Evangel initially gained the upper hand with the help of another big scoring run, overcoming an early six-point deficit thanks in large part to its first-half work on the offensive boards. The Valor corralled 17 offensive rebounds over the game's first 20 minutes, which it converted into 16 second-chance points.

Coffie, who recorded 10 points off the bench for Evangel, chased down four of those caroms to help EU outrebound the Pirates by a 27-16 margin in the half. Pritchett played a pivotal role for Evangel as well, as the junior sank 3-of-4 three-point attempts while assisting on six Valor baskets in the first half alone.

Park led 13-7 with just over 13 minutes left in the period when Pritchett drilled his second trey of the night, sparking a 9-2 Valor run. Minutes later, the Pirates held a 24-23 advantage after an Ernest Myles III basket in the paint, only to see EU take control with 10 unanswered points. Pavel Antonov powered home a pair of buckets from close range to start the spurt, before a Martinborough dunk, a Coffie putback and a Salvi jumper handed the Valor a 33-24 cushion with 3:39 left in the half.

The Pirates chipped away at the EU lead, clawing their way to within 38-34 on a Cory Reeves steal and layup as time expired in the opening period.

Coffman complimented big nights from Martinborough and Pritchett with a 13-point effort, and Salvi tallied 14 points for the Valor.

Williamson led Park with a game-high 20 points, while Rodrigue Marthone added 18 and Reeves finished with 17 for the Pirates.

LOOKING AHEAD
Evangel travels to Peru, Neb., Saturday (Jan. 8) for a 2 p.m., Heart Conference matchup with Peru State.

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