The Basics

Score: Evangel 57, Culver-Stockton 72 

Location: Canton, Mo. (Charles Fieldhouse) 

Records: Evangel (1-5), C-SC (6-1) 

Box Score 

CANTON, Mo. -- Valor Women's Basketball opened their conference schedule on Saturday, looking to claim a victory over a tough Culver-Stockton squad. Despite keeping the game close with a strong second quarter, Evangel struggled against the Wildcat defense, turning the ball over, leading to a Valor loss, 72-57.

Evangel pushed out to an early 7-5 lead on a Jazzy Kirby layup and free throw with 5:49 remaining in the quarter, but soon grew cold from the floor. Culver-Stockton used a 14-2 run to end the quarter as the Valor found themselves in a 10 point hole, 19-9.

The Valor found their offensive rhythm to kick off the second half, going on a strong 17-4 run to take a 26-23 lead with five minutes remaining in the second quarter. The Valor held the lead until a Culver three pointer gave the Wildcats the lead. C-SC ended the half with a layup to take a three point lead into the halftime break, 32-29. Alexis Roach led all Evangel scorers at the break with eight points.

In the third quarter, Culver-Stockton turned up their defensive pressure, forcing Evangel into errant passes that resulted in several turnovers. The Wildcats used a large run to take a 52-37 lead and kept their lead out of reach of Evangel as C-SC took a 56-40 lead into the final quarter.

The Valor continued to struggle with their ball control in the fourth quarter as the Culver defense forced multiple turnovers. In the last two minutes of the game, Kirby hit two consecutive threes to keep Evangel close, 65-57, but two consecutive turnovers and missed shots hurt the Valor's chances at a comeback. The Wildcats hit nearly all their free throws in the final minute to solidify their 72-57 victory over Evangel.

NOTABLE 

• Alexis Roach and Jazzy Kirby led Evangel in scoring with 13 points apiece.

• Lexi Berry and Micah Clayton pulled down five rebounds each, the team high.

• Evangel recorded a higher shooting percentage than Culver (39%-38.2%), but turned the ball over 24 times in the loss.

NEXT UP 

Evangel will host the Pirates of Park on Wednesday (Nov. 30) evening at 5:30 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—