The Basics

Final: Evangel 69, RV Grand View 80 | Final Stats

Records: Evangel (14-14, 10-8); RV Grand View (23-6, 15-3)

Site: Dave Sisam Arena

DES MOINES, Iowa – Evangel hit the road for their final road game of the season on Wednesday (Feb. 16) against RV Grand View in Des Moines. Abby Wildermuth came out firing, leading the Valor with a career high 29 points, but ultimately fell short, 69-80.

Wildermuth began the scoring for EU with a free throw, but Evangel found themselves in a hole early, trailing 10-1 with 7:46 left in the first quarter. Eventually, the Valor fought back, thanks to Wildermuth hitting a three and a jumper, as well as a Zoey Mullings jump shot. Evangel was able to keep the score close in the quarter and trailed 19-24 at the end of the first.

Grand View maintained a nine point lead for the majority of the second quarter. With 2:56 remaining in the half, Brianda Bane hit a jumper for the Vikings. This was the last basket Grand View scored in the quarter, as Evangel ended the half on a 7-0 run, thanks again to Wildermuth's offense and a Jazzy Kirby fifteen foot jump shot. EU trailed, 37-41, at halftime with Wildermuth leading the charge with 19 points.

In the third quarter, Grand View began to expand the Valor deficit. The Vikings extended their lead to double digits after two minutes of play in the quarter, but again Wildermuth cut their lead with a three. Wildermuth continued her stellar night of offense, nailing a three with four minutes remaining in the quarter, to trail 54-48. Evangel then grew cold as Grand View began to find an offensive groove. The Vikings used a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 15, their biggest of the entire night. Alexis Roach closed out the quarter converting an and-one jumper for EU to trail, 63-51. 

Grand View maintained their lead the entirety of the fourth quarter. Despite Evangel continuing to fight hard on both offense and defense, the Vikings continued to score. Mullings scored a basket with five minutes remaining to cut Grand View's lead to just eight, but this was the closest the Valor came to closing the gap. The Vikings ended the game at the free throw line, sinking six consecutive free throws to claim the victory, 80-69.

The Valor were led by Wildermuth who finished the evening with her career high 29 points, the most scored in her career at both Evangel and C of O. Sophie Sparks rounded out double digit scoring with 11 points off the bench. Mullings pulled down a team high eight rebounds and Kohnnar Patton and Sparks passed off a game high two assists for EU.

UP NEXT

Evangel will honor their seniors and take on MidAmerica Nazarene on Senior Day in the Ashcroft Center. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 pm in Springfield, with festivities to begin before the women's matchup.

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—