The Basics
Score: Evangel 83, John Brown 73
Records: Evangel (1-2); John Brown (2-1)
Box Score
 
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel men's basketball team used a strong second half to hold off John Brown, 83-73, Friday night in non-conference action.
 
The Valor earn their first win of the season to move to 1-2 while the Golden Eagles fall to 2-1.
 
Evangel and John Brown went nip and tuck through the first 20 minutes as EU took a narrow 40-39 lead into halftime. The Valor locked down on defense to start the second half going on a 10-0 run to build a 50-41 lead at the 16-minute mark following a pair of Josh Pritchett free throws.
 
Pritchett finished with 20 points and was 10-of-12 from the free throw line for Evangel.
 
Manrique Alvarado led the way for the Valor with 21 points and knocking down five three-pointers in the win. Alvarado drained a three with 3:50 left int eh game to put Evangel back up five, 70-65 after the Golden Eagles had cut the EU lead to two.
 
However, the Valor got free throws from Jace Coffie and a layup from Garrett Davault to pull back in front 74-65 with 2:36 left in the game. Coffie would score on another putback with 1:02 left to push the lead back to double digits at 78-67.
 
Davault finished in double figures with 11 points and added nine rebounds to share the game-high honors with Coffie's nine boards.
 
Evangel out-rebounded JBU 44-32 and held the Golden Eagles to 39 percent from the field while shooting 45 percent on the offensive end.
 
The Valor open KCAC action on Wednesday at home against Tabor. Tipoff for the men's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
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"I'm glad we were able to get our first win under our belts and in front of a great home crowd," stated head coach Bert Capel. "I thought our defensive intensity was the best it had been so far this season and hope to continue to see this intensity in our guys."

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.