The Basics

Final: Evangel 81, Missouri Valley 82 | Final Stats

Records: Evangel (14-13, 10-7); Missouri Valley (16-9, 10-6)

Site: Burns Athletic Complex

MARSHALL, Mo. – The Valor began their final road trip of the season facing off with Missouri Valley in an important conference matchup on Saturday (Feb. 12). Evangel spent the majority of the second and third quarters leading, but ultimately fell, 82-81, after Missouri Valley hit six consecutive free throws to put the game away.

Missouri Valley began the afternoon hitting several shots as they took an 8-2 lead within the first three and a half minutes of the game. Alexis Roach hit a jumper and Zoey Mullings nailed a three to narrow the Viking lead to just a point, but MVC continued to score. Lexi Berry hit a shot with two minutes remaining to give Evangel a lead and Missouri Valley responded by hitting a jumper and three pointer to lead 15-11 at the end of the first quarter.

Evangel played a strong offensive second quarter, scoring a game high 26 points in the quarter. The Valor racked off a quick 11-0 run in the span of four minutes to take a 22-15 lead. The Vikings responded by going on a 6-0 run of their own, but the Valor again turned up the offensive intensity and hit several shots. Makayla McVay was a huge catalyst in the final five minutes of the quarter, scoring seven points for EU. Abby Wildermuth capped off the strong quarter by hitting a buzzer beater three to give Evangel a 37-31 lead heading into halftime. Wildermuth led Evangel at the half with 10 points.

In the third quarter, Evangel was able to maintain their lead, thanks to a strong first half of the quarter. With six minutes remaining in the quarter, Alexis Cauthon nailed a jumper to give Evangel a 10 point lead. Missouri Valley began to slowly chip away at the Evangel lead. To end the quarter, the Vikings went on a 6-0 run and only trailed, 56-54, at the end of three. 

The Vikings used the beginning of the final quarter to overcome the Evangel lead. MVC went on an 11-2 run to lead Evangel, 65-58, with 6:54 remaining in the game. For the next five minutes, Evangel and Missouri Valley traded baskets until Wildermuth hit a three and Cauthon scored a jumper with 49 seconds remaining, as EU trailed, 73-71. Mullings hit two free throws after an MVC free throw to trail by one point, but in the final 25 seconds, MVC's Giavanna Moore hit six consecutive free throws to put the game away. Both Wildermuth and Kohnnar Patton would drive down the floor and hit acrobatic three point shots, with Patton's being at the buzzer, but ultimately EU came up just short, 82-81.

The Valor were led by Wildermuth who finished the evening with 16 points. Patton again came off the bench and finished with double digit scoring, with 11 points. Sadie Chisum and Roach rounded out double digit scoring with 10 points each. Sarah Lwambo and Mullings both pulled down a team high seven rebounds and Wildermuth passed off a season high eight assists for EU.

UP NEXT

Evangel will play in their final regular season road game of the season, taking on (RV) Grand View on Wednesday (Feb. 16). Tipoff is slated for 5:30 pm in Des Moines, Iowa (Dave Sisam Arena)

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 (https://eu-gameday.app.link/launch).

—#OneValor—