The Basics

Score: (24) Evangel 87, Mount Mercy 59

Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Hennessey Rec Center) 

Records: Evangel (21-7, 16-6); Mount Mercy (7-20, 4-18) 

Box Score 

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- After losing a thrilling overtime matchup on Thursday to MidAmerica Nazarene, the Evangel Men's Basketball team traveled north to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, looking to end their regular season on a high note with a win over the Mount Mercy Mustangs. The Valor offense left nothing to question on Saturday, dominating the home team from start to finish and running away with an 87-59 victory in the regular season finale.

Manrique Alvarado kicked off scoring for both sides, hitting a three to give the Valor a 3-0 lead, and leading to Evangel's opening 12-3 run. Despite racing out to an early lead, Mount Mercy responded with a 16-8 run of their own, bringing Evangel's lead to just one point, 20-19, with 11:57 remaining in the first half. After both teams traded baskets, an MMU score with 8:44 remaining had Evangel ahead by two, 27-25. Over the final eight minutes of the half, the Valor used a strong 23-3 run to push out to a large halftime lead, 50-28. Broc Smith caught fire throughout the run, leading Evangel with nine of the 23 points scored. 

Evangel came out fast in the second half, making sure the Mustangs could not formulate any comeback. A 16-8 run in the first five minutes of the half ensured that Mount Mercy would need a massive comeback effort to come close to Evangel's lead. A pair of Josh Pritchett free throws put the Valor ahead, 66-36. Evangel grabbed their largest lead of the afternoon on a pair of Jace Coffie layups and a free throw from Logan Rodgers, 73-40, with 11:20 remaining in the game. In the final 10 minutes of the game, both teams traded baskets with Chandler Oriakhi capping off the runaway win with a three, helping push the Valor to a 87-59 victory.

NOTABLE 

• Pritchett led Evangel with 17 points.

• Evangel shot 54 percent from the floor, compared to MMU's 32.8 percent.

• Edriel Martinborough was one rebound short of a double-double. (11 points, 9 rebounds)

• Smith hit several key threes in the win, finishing with 12 points.

NEXT UP 

Evangel will await the results of all Heart Conference games this afternoon to find out who they will host on Thursday (Feb. 23) evening in the Ashcroft Center for the Heart Conference Quarterfinals.

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—