The Basics

Final: Evangel 91, Park 84 (OT) | Final Stats

Records: Evangel (8-8); Park (7-4)

Site: Ashcroft Center

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel and Park needed five additional minutes to determine the outcome of their conference matchup. Ultimately, the Valor came out victorious in the extra period, 91-84, to move back to .500 and 4-2 in conference play.

The Valor began the evening in a hole, as the Pirates of Park rattled off a 7-2 run to kick the game off. But the Valor quickly closed the gap with free throws from Bayley Harman and Alexis Cauthon, as well as a Zoey Mullings layup. The Pirates again gained a lead off of free throws and a three pointer from Aiko Lane. With 3:50 remaining in the first quarter, EU sparked a 6-1 run, spurred by a Jazzy Kirby layup, a Kohnnar Patton layup, and a Makayla McVay free throw, to tie the game up at 15 apiece at the end of the first quarter. Cauthon led EU with four points at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter proved to be a complete flip of the first, as EU gained a lead and it would be Park to come back. Four consecutive Cauthon points gave the Valor a 23-20 lead, that extended to 29-23, thanks to Lexi Berry's first career points in a conference matchup, and four points by Harman. But, the Pirates continued to fight, going on an 8-2 run to end the half, to again tie the game up at 31 apiece. Cauthon topped EU's scoresheet with 10 points at the half.

The third quarter resulted in EU taking a small advantage, but back and forth play remained the headline of the night. The Valor pushed out to a seven point lead, their largest of the night, but again the Pirates answered the call. Berry added her second score of the night with 1:35 remaining in the third quarter, but Park again narrowed the gap, hitting a pair of jumpers to make it an EU 53-51 lead at the end of three. Harman led the Valor in points at the end of the third with 12 points.

The fourth quarter was a battle for both teams, as Evangel went on a run to start. EU led by as much as eight, never giving up their lead, until Park got hot. With 2:47 remaining, EU led, 74-66. Park used the time remaining to hit a layup and two threes, one with 4 seconds remaining, to tie the ballgame up at 75 apiece to end regulation. Harman again led EU at the end of regulation with 20 points.

The overtime period was a high scoring five minute period and the Valor ultimately put the game away thanks to balanced team play in the OT period. Alexis Roach scored a team high six points in the period to help EU come away with the 91-84 victory in OT.

The Valor had four different players to score in double digits. Led by Harman's 22, Cauthon tacked on an additional 15, Chisum scored 14 (her career high), and Roach added 13 points. Harman finished with a double double on the evening, also pulling down 12 rebounds.

"I couldn't be any more proud of this team tonight. Bouncing back from a home loss can be tough," Valor head coach Preston Beverly stated. "They all answered the challenge tonight. We had eleven players score, ten players collect a season high 54 rebounds, and of our 31 field goals, 18 were assisted."

UP NEXT

Evangel will hit the road, continuing their conference schedule against Peru State (Peru, Neb.) at noon on Saturday, January 8th. 

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—