The Basics

Score: Evangel 73, Mount Mercy 75

Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Hennessey Rec Center) 

Records: Evangel (13-14, 12-10), Mount Mercy (12-16, 8-14) 

Box Score 

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Evangel Women's Basketball concluded their regular season on Saturday afternoon in Cedar Rapids, taking on the Mount Mercy Mustangs. After playing just two days before, the Valor had a quick turnaround and ultimately became stuck in a back and forth battle with the Mustangs. After three close quarters of play, the Mustangs won the fourth quarter, which was the difference as the Valor fell, 75-73, in their regular season finale.

The entire game proved to be completely back and forth. The largest lead by any team was just six points, so each basket proved important. In the first quarter, Alexis Cauthon scored on the first possession, giving Evangel a 2-0 lead. Five lead changes and three ties in the quarter later and the Valor and Mustangs were tied at 17 apiece behind Paiton Acord's seven points in the quarter.

Sadie Chisum led the Valor with six points alone in the second quarter. A pair of Lexi Berry free throws were followed by a Micah Clayton basket to give EU a 21-19 lead. After a quick 7-0 run by Mount Mercy, the aforementioned Chisum scored her first basket of the quarter. Kate Gilbert then hit four free throws to keep pace with the Mustangs. Both teams continued to trade points and Evangel's final basket in the quarter came from Acord, putting EU ahead 37-32. MMU was able to end the quarter on a 4-0 run as the Valor took a 37-36 lead into halftime.

Neither team gained any ground in the third quarter, which was the lowest scoring quarter for both teams. Both teams shot close to 25 percent in the quarter alone, with Jazzy Kirby leading the Valor with five points in the period. Mount Mercy nailed two free throws with thirty seconds left in the quarter, but a Sophie Sparks jumper put Evangel back up to their one point lead, 53-52.

Both offenses were clicking in the final quarter. A Clayton layup followed by an Alexis Roach three gave Evangel their largest lead of the afternoon, 58-52, with 8:41 remaining in the game. Mount Mercy responded over the following 2:41, using a 7-0 run to take a 59-58 advantage. An Emma Mullings basket was followed by points from Mount Mercy and the race to see who would score last began. An Acord free throw in the final two minutes of the game put EU ahead by three, but the Mustangs answered. Gilbert was able to give the Valor a one point lead with 1:13 remaining, but again Mount Mercy generated additional offense. MMU had a chance to take a three point lead in the final seconds, but a missed free throw gave the Valor a final chance to tie the game. With just 0.6 seconds on the clock, Evangel was unable to get a shot off in enough time, as they fell, 75-73.

NOTABLE 

• Acord led the Valor in points with 16 in the loss.

• MMU hit 41.4 percent of their shots compared to Evangel's 35.4 percent.

• Evangel won the rebounding battle, 47-37.

• Roach pulled down a team high eight rebounds.

NEXT UP 

Evangel will travel to Dubuque, Iowa on Wednesday (Feb. 22) to take on the Clarke Pride at a time to be announced later this evening. Stay tuned to Evangel Athletics social media for an update on Wednesday's quarterfinal match.

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—