The Basics

Score: Evangel 71, Avila 63

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Ashcroft Center) 

Records: Evangel (4-3, 3-2), Avila (2-8, 2-3) 

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Valor Women's Basketball took on the Avila Eagles on Wednesday night in their final home game in the year of 2023. A dominant second quarter where the Valor defense held the Eagles to just three points ended up making the difference in the game, as EU held on to a 71-63 win in a tough battle with Avila.

Avila hit several threes and forced turnovers to keep Evangel from taking a lead in the first quarter. Four three pointers in the quarter helped Avila to take a 14-12 lead, that they would expand to 24-14 at the end of the first quarter. Avila's Hannah Smith scored 11 points alone in the quarter, hitting three of the triples.

Evangel dominated the second quarter. After a basket by Lydia Babirye made it 24-16 in favor of the Eagles, Avila would nail a three to take an 11 point lead. A 22-0 run the remainder of the quarter by Evangel would push the Valor out to a 38-27 lead, scoring a buzzer beating basket by Kate Gilbert as EU headed into the halftime break.

Avila would fight back in the third quarter, as the Eagles would retake the lead late in the third frame. A jumper and old fashioned three point play for Jazzy Kirby helped Evangel steal back the lead and a final basket by Avila made it a tight 47-45 game in favor of the Valor, heading into the final quarter.

Evangel had to fight to take the win in the final quarter. Avila nailed a pair of threes to open the final quarter and hit a jumper to take a 53-47 lead over Evangel with 8:08 remaining. A pair of free throws and jumper by Kate Gilbert helped EU stay within striking distance, and with 6:18 left in the quarter, Kohnnar Patton nailed a three on the left wing, making it a 54-55 Avila lead. On Evangel's next possession, Patton again hit a three from the same spot, tying up the game. A 14-6 run to end the ball game for Evangel proved to be the difference as a three from Lexi Berry sealed the deal for Evangel, as they took a 71-63 win over Avila on Wednesday.

QUOTABLE 

"This is a game that we persevered and found a way by digging deep at crucial times. It will help us down the road in conference. We had a great second quarter of defense to bounce back after being down ten after one period. Our posts played their best defense of the year versus very good players," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "Kamie Jenkins was a force with a double-double and Kate Gilbert just keeps getting better! Jazzy Kirby had nine assists and the duo of Patton and Berry hit big fourth quarter threes. Overall a great team effort!"

NOTABLE 

• Kamie Jenkins led the Valor with 15 points in the win on Wednesday and pulled down 11 rebounds for Evangel's first double-double of the season.

• Kate Gilbert also recorded double digit scoring for the Valor, scoring 14 points in the win.

• Jazzy Kirby recorded nine assists in the win, the highest assist count of the season for Evangel.

• Evangel shot 48.2 percent from the floor in the win.

• The Valor won the rebounding margin by 11 in the win on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Valor Women's Basketball will hit the road for their final conference game of 2023, taking on the Bethany Swedes in Lindsborg, Kansas, at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 9th.

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—