The Basics

Score: Evangel 76, Lincoln 84 (OT)

Location: Jefferson City, Mo. (Jason Gym)

Box Score 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Valor Women's Basketball took on NCAA D-II Lincoln University on Saturday (Dec. 30) afternoon in an exhibition match, looking to build off their near upset victory over nationally ranked NCAA D-II UCM on Friday. The Valor used a big fourth quarter to tie the game, but ultimately fell in overtime in exhibition play, 84-76, against the Blue Tigers of Lincoln.

Evangel would jump out to an 11-8 lead over the Blue Tigers with 2:48 remaining in the quarter, but the Lincoln offense used a 8-0 run to take a 16-11 lead into the second quarter. Emma Mullings scored five points in the quarter to pace the Valor scoring.

Lincoln would take an 11-point lead to open the second quarter, but the Valor offense would fight to narrow the deficit to just three points after a 17-3 run. Evangel's offense hit a road bump late in the quarter, as the Blue Tigers began to hit several triples, causing the Valor to trail by 13, 41-28. A Kohnnar Patton three and Kamie Jenkins free throw would make it a nine point game at halftime, 41-32.

The Blue Tigers were able to maintain their lead over Evangel in the third quarter, as every Valor basket was matched by a basket from the home team. A layup at the buzzer for the Blue Tigers made it a 60-50 game in favor of the NCAA D-II squad.

Lincoln pushed out to their largest lead of the afternoon with 8:37 remaining in the game, 65-52, over Evangel, but the Valor would not be taken down easily. A 16-2 run by the Valor offense gave Evangel their first lead since the first quarter, 68-67, on a Lydia Babirye layup. On Lincoln's ensuing possession, the Blue Tigers were able to work the shot clock down, scoring a basket to retake a one point lead. Just a few seconds after, Babirye netted a pair of free throws to retake the lead, but Lincoln would hit on the front end of a pair of free throws to tie the game at 70. Both teams had a shot to take the lead in the final 20 seconds of the game, but neither would record a basket, forcing overtime, 70-70.

Evangel hung tough with Lincoln in overtime, trailing by just three points with 49 seconds remaining in the period, but the Blue Tigers offense would take over, scoring a three and pair of free throws while holding the Valor to no points, as EU just fell short of the exhibition upset win over D-II Lincoln, 84-76.

QUOTABLE 

"Another close one today, but just could not get over the hump in overtime. It was two great days of competition," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "We got better after these two games and that was the primary focus this weekend. We gave two NCAA Division-II schools all they could handle!"

NOTABLE 

• Lydia Babirye led the Valor with 15 points in the game on Saturday. 

• Both Kamie Jenkins (14 pts, 12 rebs.) and Micah Clayton (12 pts, 10 rebs.) recorded double-doubles on Saturday.

• Jazzy Kirby and Carson Dillard both recorded double digit scoring on Saturday, scoring 13 and 10, respectively.

UP NEXT

Valor Women's Basketball will return to KCAC conference play next Wednesday (Jan. 3) evening at 6:00 p.m. against Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas.

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—