The Basics

Score (OT): (24) Evangel 97, MidAmerica Nazarene 99

Location: Olathe, Kan. (Cook Center) 

Records: Evangel (20-7, 15-6); MidAmerica Nazarene (19-8, 14-7) 

Box Score 

OLATHE, Kan. -- After defeating the Grand View Vikings on Saturday at home, Evangel Men's Basketball hit the road to face off with MidAmerica Nazarene, in a match that had major implications on postseason seedings. Although the Valor were able to fight back and force overtime, EU came up just short of the mark, falling 99-97 and dropping to third place in the Heart Conference Standings.

MNU came out quick in the first half, racing out to an early 6-0 lead in the first two minutes of the half. Bryce Hunt put the Valor on the board for their first points of the game with a three pointer, cutting the Pioneer lead in half. Both teams found themselves competing in back and forth play until MNU went on a 16-4 run to push out to a 26-13 lead. The Valor were able to fight to just a seven point deficit on two occasions, but the Pioneers continued to ramp up their offensive pace, hitting several tough shots. With 1:11 remaining in the first half, the Pioneers took a 48-30 lead, their largest of the night. Edriel Martinborough was able to cut the MNU halftime lead to 14 points, 48-34, hitting a free throw and then hitting three consecutive free throws after being fouled on a last second three. MNU shot 73 percent in the first half, contributing to their double digit halftime lead.

Evangel knew they needed to come out strong early to keep the game within reach. In the first three minutes of the half, the Valor were able to cut MNU's lead in half, and on a Manrique Alvarado jumper, the Valor trailed just 52-45. Over the following 10 minutes of gameplay, both teams traded baskets. Seemingly every shot that Evangel got to fall was matched on the other end by MNU. With 6:52 remaining in the second half, Hunt was able to finally break Evangel past the seven point deficit. His basket accompanied by baskets from Josh Pritchett put Evangel down by just a single point, 68-67, with 5:08 remaining. MNU responded to the baskets by going on a 12-5 run, grabbing an eight point lead with just 1:44 left in the game. Trailing 81-73 with 1:13 left in the game, Martinborough scored on a drive to the basket to move the deficit to six points. A missed Pioneer free throw on the other end led to a Pritchett three pointer that he was fouled on, putting the Valor down by just two after he converted the free throw. MNU raced to the other end and scored, but Pritchett took just nine seconds to match, again trailing by just two points. The Pioneers hit the second of a pair of free throws to go up by three, but with eight seconds on the clock, another Pritchett basket put the Valor down by a single point, 84-83. MNU was fouled on the ensuing possession and hit both free throws, taking a three point lead. Alvarado was then fouled by MNU, so that Evangel would not have a chance at a three pointer to tie the game. Alvarado hit one of two free throws, but a quick foul by Evangel led to MNU hitting just one of two free throws. On the ensuing miss, the ball found Pritchett's hands. With just four seconds on the clock, Pritchett was able to advance to half court and was ultimately fouled on a half court heave, keeping Evangel alive. Pritchett hit the first free throw, but missed the second. With EU trailing, 87-85, and just 1.1 on the clock, an intentional missed free throw would be coming. Coach Bert Capel subbed Hunt and Ike Egwu into the game for size on the rebound. This move proved critical, as Egwu was able to secure the rebound and get a shot up on the buzzer to force overtime in Olathe, 87-87.

The Valor took an early lead in the overtime period, but the Pioneers were able to fight back, and took a 97-91 lead with just 59 seconds left in the extra period. Autry Acord responded by hitting a three to make it a three point game. MNU was able to use the entire shot clock and score a basket to go back up by five points, but Martinborough hit a huge three for the Valor with 13 seconds remaining to make it 99-97, in favor of the home team. A quick foul sent an MNU player to the line to put the game away, but he missed both and Evangel had one final possession. Stephen Salvi secured the rebound and the Valor raced down the floor. Pritchett was being double teamed in the corner, but found an open Alvarado in the corner for the win on a three, but the shot rimmed out, as the Valor fell, 99-97.

NOTABLE 

• Pritchett led Evangel with 31 points.

• MNU had a strong night on offense, shooting 67.3 percent from the floor.

• Acord came away with four steals, breaking the Evangel single season record for steals. (99)

• Acord, Hunt, and Salvi led Evangel with five rebounds in the loss.

• Evangel missed 10 free throws in the loss.

NEXT UP 

Evangel concludes their regular season with a road matchup in Cedar Rapids, Iowa against the Mount Mercy Mustangs on Saturday (Feb. 18) afternoon at 1:00 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—