The Basics

Score: (RV) Evangel 82, (13) USAO 71 

Location: Chickasha, Okla. (Drover Fieldhouse) 

Records: Evangel (4-1); USAO (2-3) 

Box Score 

CHICKASHA, Okla. -- After upsetting the fourth ranked Eagles of Oklahoma Wesleyan on the Valor home court, Evangel Men's Basketball set their sights on their matchup with the 13th ranked Drovers of USAO, on the road in Chickasha. A slow start did not hinder the Valor offense, as Evangel took off in the second half, using 50 points in the final period alone to bring home a 82-71 upset win over the nationally ranked Drovers.

Evangel fell behind early, 11-1, after being unable to score from the field for the first four minutes of the game. A Manrique Alvarado layup broke the cold streak for the Valor, but Evangel had to play catch up for the remainder of the half. Broc Smith capped off a crucial 17-8 run for the Valor on a three pointer, putting the Valor behind by just a single point, 19-18. Another USAO run extended their lead, but an Alvarado three with 36 seconds on the clock put the Valor just two points behind at halftime, 34-32.

A key 12-3 run for Evangel out of the halftime break helped push the Valor out to a lead, with Josh Pritchett scoring five of the 12 points in the run. USAO came roaring back out of the timeout and kept the game close as both teams became deadlocked at 50-50 with 12 minutes remaining. The next six minutes of play was full of back and forth scores by both teams, with neither team pulling away from the other. A crucial three by Pritchett with 6:33 remaining saw Evangel push out to a two point lead, 65-63, and exceptional Valor defense on the other end forced a shot clock violation on the Drovers. An Alvarado layup accompanied by a Autry Acord steal and Edriel Martinborough layup pushed the Valor ahead, 69-63 and forced a Drover timeout with 4:59 remaining. With the lead, Evangel executed one final possession that drained over a minute on the play clock. The Valor drew the shot clock down on two consecutive possessions and Jace Coffie pulled down two huge offensive rebounds that took the wind out from under the Drovers. On Coffie's second rebound, Alvarado displayed his remarkable shooting by nailing a dagger three to take away any chance at a Drover comeback. When the clock had hit straight zeroes, the Valor had claimed the victory, 82-71, giving Evangel their second consecutive win against a top 25 opponent.

The win was an extra sweet victory sponsored by Saint George's Donuts for every Evangel win over a nationally ranked opponent. USAO was ranked No. 13 before Monday's game.

QUOTABLE 

 "That was our first true road test of the year. I didn't think we started the game ready to play, but we got ourselves together at halftime and I thought we played much better in the second half," Head Coach Bert Capel stated. "USAO is a good team and I'm glad we were able to find a way to win." 

NOTABLE 

• Junior Manrique Alvarado recorded 28 points in the victory to lead Evangel. Alvarado has scored 48 points over the last two games.

• Seniors Josh Pritchett and Edriel Martinborough rounded out double digit scoring for Evangel, finishing with 21 and 18 points, respectively.

• Juniors Bryce Hunt and Jace Coffie both pulled down six rebounds to lead Evangel.

• Evangel shot 53.4 percent from the floor in the victory, including 52.2 percent (12-23) from three.

• USAO kept the game close with their shooting from the charity stripe, hitting 18-23 (78.3%) to Evangel's 8-17 (47.1%).

NEXT UP 

Evangel concludes their non-conference schedule with a road match against the Golden Eagles of John Brown next Tuesday (Nov. 22) in Siloam Springs, Ark., at 4:00 p.m.

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—