The Basics

Score: Evangel 72, Bethany 61

Location: Lindsborg, Kan. (Ray D. Hahn Gymnasium)

Records: Evangel (6-4, 5-1); Bethany (2-7, 1-5)

Box Score 

LINDSBORG, Kan. -- Valor Men's Basketball traveled to Kansas on Saturday (Dec. 9) afternoon, to take on the Bethany Swedes and attempt to earn their fifth win in conference play. A lockdown defense proved to be the Valor highlight, as they held their opponents to just 15 percent shooting and 13 total points in the first half. Bethany would make a run in the second half, but their slow start hurt their chances, as Evangel took the win, 72-61.

The Valor opened Saturday's game with a 12-0 run, not allowing the Swedes to score for nearly seven minutes in the first half. With 7:09 remaining in the first half, Bethany would hit a three to make it a 24-13 game, in favor of Evangel. From this point, the Valor defense would lock down the Swedes, not allowing another point in the first half. Baskets by Logan Rodgers, Garrett Davault, Jace Coffie, and Josh Mason would push Evangel out to a 35-13 lead at the halftime break, behind a strong first half performance from the entire team, led by Coffie with eight points and seven rebounds.

A layup by Jace Coffie with 14:40 remaining in the second half gave the Valor a 28 point lead over the Swedes, Evangel's largest of the evening. From this point, Bethany would get hot, hitting multiple threes and forcing Evangel turnovers to attempt to claw back into the game. The Valor would continue to score in the half as well, but the Swedes would outscore Evangel in the period. A layup by Logan Rodgers capped off scoring for Evangel, as the Valor took home a 72-61 win in their final conference game of 2023.

QUOTABLE 

"I'm proud of our guys for coming out with good energy and competing from the jump," head coach Bert Capel stated. "I thought we did a really good job executing against their zone defense as well." 

NOTABLE 

• Garrett Davault scored 16 points to lead Evangel in the win on Saturday, his career high.

• Jace Coffie finished with 15 points in the win, including 12 rebounds to finish with Evangel's first double-double of the season.

• Bryce Hunt (14 pts.), Josh Pritchett and Logan Rodgers (10 pts.) rounded out double digit scoring on Saturday.

• Pritchett led Evangel with eight assists.

• Hunt recorded three blocks in the win.

• Evangel shot 55.9 percent from the floor, continuing their hot shooting this season.

NEXT UP 

Evangel will compete in their final game of 2023, traveling to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to take on the MidAmerica Christian Evangels in a non-conference matchup at 3:00 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.