The Basics

Score: (20) Evangel 73, Missouri Valley 60 

Location: Marshall, Mo. (Burns Athletic Center) 

Records: Evangel (12-2, 7-1); Missouri Valley (4-10, 2-6) 

Box Score 

MARSHALL, Mo. -- Valor Men's Basketball opened the 2023 half of their season on the road on Wednesday night, taking on the Missouri Valley Vikings. Despite missing two starters and putting forth a tough first half, the Valor found rhythm on offense and shut down the Vikings in a big second half, taking the road win, 73-60.

Neither team could break the lid off the basket in the beginning of the first half as both teams missed shots throughout the first 3:30 of the quarter. A Stephen Salvi layup put the Valor up, 2-0, and was followed by a quick MVC basket and a Jace Coffie jumper. The 4-2 lead for Evangel would be the last lead the Valor had until the 16:25 mark of the second half. Both teams continued to struggle in the first half on offense, but an 8-2 run for the Vikings gave Missouri Valley the lead. A Josh Pritchett three put the Valor down by just a single point, 12-11, but again, the Vikings used a run to expand their lead. Trailing 29-23, Evangel's Pritchett recorded a pivotal play for the Valor when he scored a layup and was fouled. A technical foul ensued just seconds after and Pritchett nailed all three free throws to convert the old-fashioned five point play, putting the Valor behind just 29-28. Back and forth baskets found Evangel trailing, 35-31, at the halftime break, led by Pritchett's 15 points.

Evangel opened the half on a 10-3 run, fueled by Pritchett and Ike Egwu jumpers and three pointers by Manrique Alvarado and Autry Acord, giving the Valor a 41-38 lead they would never relinquish. A 14-6 run by the Valor helped push Evangel out to an 11 point lead that was capped off by an Acord and-one three point play. Both teams traded baskets for the remaining part of the half, with an Alvarado three putting the Valor up by 17, their largest lead of the night. Missouri Valley outscored the Valor by four points in the final three minutes of the game as Evangel claimed the victory, 73-60, giving up just 25 points in the second half.

NOTABLE 

• Josh Pritchett led Evangel with a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

• Pritchett has scored 26, 30, and 28 points in his last three games, averaging 28 points per game in the span.

• Evangel shot just 38 percent from the floor, but outshot the Vikings (33.3%).

• Autry Acord recorded four steals in the win, increasing his nation-leading total to 57 this season.

• Acord also recorded 12 points in the win, rounding out Evangel's double digit scorers.

NEXT UP 

Evangel returns home to host Clarke in the Ashcroft Center on Saturday (Jan. 7) afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

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—