The Basics

Final: Evangel 71, MidAmerica Nazarene 86 | Final Stats

Records: Evangel (14-15, 10-9); MidAmerica Nazarene (17-10, 14-5)

Site: Ashcroft Center

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel Valor returned home to take on Heart South foe, MidAmerica Nazarene, on Saturday. Although both teams had already punched spots into the conference tournament, both teams fought hard and ultimately, Evangel came up short, 86-71.

MidAmerica came out firing in the first quarter, scoring a game high 28 points in just the first frame. Within the first five minutes, MidAmerica outscored the Valor, 15-4. Evangel chipped at the Pioneer lead as Abby Wildermuth hit a three and Sarah Lwambo scored a jumper to reduce the MNU lead to just six points. Evangel was able to maintain just a six point deficit until MidAmerica ended the quarter on a 9-0 run, giving MNU a 28-13 lead at the end of the quarter.

In the second quarter, the Pioneers maintained their double digit lead for the majority of the quarter. MNU took an 18 point lead over Evangel, their highest lead of the afternoon, until Wildermuth, Logan Jones, and Sophie Sparks scored to cut the score to 32-23. Although it appeared Evangel was primed for a run, the Pioneers again shut down EU on offense and went on a run of their own, ending the quarter on a 10-4 run. At halftime, the Valor trailed, 42-27. Wildermuth led all EU scorers with 11 points.

MidAmerica continued their staunch defense in the third quarter as Evangel could again only cut the Pioneer lead down to nine in the quarter. The Valor shot their highest percentage of the game in the third, but every opportunity EU had to cut the lead, MNU answered with a score of their own. Wildermuth hit two big threes in the quarter, one with 2:26 remaining to make the score, 58-49, in MNU's favor. Both teams traded baskets to end the quarter and the Pioneers took a 65-52 lead into the final quarter.

Evangel gave their all in the fourth and final quarter. After fighting hard to keep the game close, the Valor were able to cut the Pioneer lead down to seven points, thanks to a Sparks layup with 5:41 remaining in the quarter. It appeared that Evangel was on the verge of continuing to narrow their deficit, but MNU put a halt to the Valor offense. MNU's Makayla Gooch hit free throws with four minutes remaining to cap off a 7-0 run, a run that ended the Valor's chances at a comeback. EU cut the Pioneer lead back to single digits at one point until MidAmerica ended the game on a 6-0 run, giving EU their fourth consecutive loss, 86-71.

The Valor were led by Wildermuth who finished the afternoon with a game high 23 points. Alexis Cauthon led EU with nine rebounds and Sadie Chisum passed off a game high five assists for EU.

UP NEXT

Evangel claimed the Heart's #8 seed in the conference tournament, pitting them up against #1 Clarke on Thursday (Feb. 24) evening. Game time will become available on Saturday evening.

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—