The Basics

Score: Evangel 60, (2) Central Methodist (70)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Ashcroft Center)

Records: Evangel (7-10, 6-6), Central Methodist (17-0, 11-0)

Box Score

Story by Mike Bennett, special contributor to www.evangelathletics.com

Central Methodist quickly proved on Monday night why it was undefeated and ranked No. 2 nationally in women's basketball. The Eagles stormed to a 25-10 lead over Evangel after one quarter at Ashcroft Center and led 46-27 at halftime. But, the second half was far different. Led by forced turnovers and fast breaks, Evangel outscored the Eagles 33-24 in the third and fourth quarters before falling 70-60. The Eagles improved to 17-0 overall and 11-0 in the Heart Conference. 

The fast-paced effort proved that the Valor can compete favorably with highly-ranked NAIA teams. "We were in our own heads (about their undefeated season) in the first half," said junior forward Giah Moore, who scored 10 points and made five steals and five rebounds. "We got in the locker room at halftime and settled down. We got the energy needed to come back." Evangel made 14 steals and forced 26 turnovers by the Eagles. "Sometimes there is that feeling-out process to prove we are as good," said Coach Preston Beverly. "We got some footing in the second quarter (21-17 for CM). It really was that first quarter." He called timeouts in the quarter "just to remind them that we are good enough," Beverly said. "You come out and play like this against the No. 2 team," he said. "If we can consistently play at this level, we will win more ballgames instead of being .500.

The Valor had great scoring opportunities to move closer in the second half, but the shots just wouldn't fall consistently. In fact, Evangel had 22 more field-goal attempts than Central Methodist, but converted on just 26-of-76 for 34.2%. The Eagles shot 27-for-54 for 50 percent. Sophomore guard Jazzy Kirby led the Valor with 11 points. She made three fast-break layups in the third quarter to help trim the Eagles' lead to 55-43 entering the fourth quarter. Evangel cut the lead three times to nine points, on a pair of field goals by senior guard Alexis Roach and another by sophomore forward Micah Clayton – but were hurt by several second-half treys from Robin Beck, who scored 14 points for the Eagles. Daryna Bachkarova led them with a game-high 17.

Roach finished with 10 points and five rebounds for Evangel, which fell to 7-10 overall and 6-6 in the Heart Conference. Sophomore guard Lexi Berry totaled eight points, four rebounds and four assists, while senior guard Paiton Acord pulled down a team-high six rebounds. "We came in with our heads high and gave everything in the second half," Moore said. "It's a little setback, but we will get there in the end. "We just need to keep working hard." The Valor led 45-38 in rebounds – including 21 on the offensive boards.  "They usually outrebound everybody and made just seven," Beverly noted

The Eagles played for most of the game without Leah Johnson, who suffered a lower-leg injury with 5:18 left in the first quarter. Johnson was the back to back player of the week in the Heart Conference. She had 22 points and 19 rebounds in a 80-71 victory on Saturday night at Missouri Valley. Evangel returns to action on Thursday with a game at Park University, which is 3-12 overall and 1-9 in conference play. The game starts at 5:30 p.m. Beverly expects a strong game: "We just need to play consistently. That is our theme this year. We are a really scary team when we can be consistent night in and night out."

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