The Basics

Score: (13) Evangel 70, Grand View 67 

Location: Des Moines, Iowa (Dave Sisam Arena) 

Records: Evangel (8-1, 3-0); GVU (2-7, 0-3) 

Box Score 

DES MOINES, Iowa -- After a narrow victory in their home conference opener, Evangel traveled north, looking to avenge their loss last season to the Grand View Vikings. Despite back and forth play in the first half, Grand View caught fire in the second half to take a double digit lead. Evangel showed grit and tenacity, fighting back in the final five minutes and taking the win with excellent play, 70-67.

The first half was a battle between Evangel and Grand View. Neither team could race out to a large lead and put any distance from each other on the scoreboard. Grand View began the game on a 6-0 run, but six points was the biggest deficit for either team in the first half. Baskets by Bryce Hunt, Manrique Alvarado, and Josh Pritchett, as well as a pair of free throws from Jace Coffie tied the game at nine points apiece with 15 minutes remaining in the half. Through the final 15 minutes, both teams consistently traded baskets until the halftime buzzer. Grand View hit a three at the buzzer to take a one point lead into the break, 34-33. Stephen Salvi led the Valor with six points at halftime.

Grand View kicked off the second half hitting several threes, extending their lead. The Valor were continuing to score, but with two point baskets, not threes. The Vikings hit eight threes in the half alone and extended their lead to 11 with just 5:13 remaining. Evangel found their crucial, game-winning run soon after. The Valor had to fight tooth and nail, but an Ike Egwu layup, followed by a Manrique Alvarado three began to trim at the deficit. Soon after, Autry Acord, who leads the nation in steals per game, ripped his opponent of the ball and scored a layup, making it a 63-59 game, forcing a Viking timeout. A Pritchett jumper and a Salvi three gave EU the lead, 64-63, with 3:32 remaining. Grand View grew cold from the floor and a Pritchett jumper all but solidified the win for Evangel. Grand View had an opportunity to force overtime with two seconds remaining, but an Alvarado steal ended the game in favor of the Valor, 70-67.

QUOTABLE 

 "I thought Grand View played tougher than us for the first 35 minutes of the game," head coach Bert Capel stated. "We finally turned it up the last five minutes of the game and found a way to win a tough one on the road." 

NOTABLE 

• Josh Pritchett led Evangel with 21 points in the win, 16 of which came in the second half.

• Autry Acord extended his lead over the country in steals, taking away six in the win.

• Grand View hit 14 threes, eight of which came in the second half. 

• Acord also pulled down a team high six rebounds.

NEXT UP 

Evangel returns home to host (22) MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers on Wednesday (Dec. 7) evening at 7:30 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—