The Basics

Score: (10) Evangel 66, (2) Indiana Tech 71

Location: Fort Wayne, Ind. (Schaefer Center) 

Records: Evangel (23-9); Indiana Tech (29-4) 

Box Score 

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- After defeating the Iowa Wesleyan Tigers in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament, Valor Men's Basketball took on the host school, Indiana Tech, in the second round of the tournament, looking to advance to Kansas City and the round of 16. Despite a strong first half on offense and defense, Evangel struggled to score late in the second half, as the Warriors used their advantage in the paint to take a lead and ultimately the game, 71-66.

An Edriel Martinborough layup and Bryce Hunt three pushed the Valor out to an early 5-0 lead, just a minute into the half. The Warriors were able to score three points, but Evangel used another 6-0 run with a pair of dunks by Martinborough and Josh Pritchett to take an 11-3 lead, six minutes into the half. Indiana Tech used the next two minutes to go on a 7-0 run and make it just a one point Evangel lead, 11-10. A Pritchett three pointer ended the Warriors run and the Valor were able to extend their lead out to 22-14, capped off by a Pritchett three. Another 7-0 Indiana Tech run drew the Warriors within a point, but Evangel's toughness again came through as a Manrique Alvarado three stopped the ITU run. EU was able to extend their lead back out to six points on a pair of Jace Coffie free throws, but ITU narrowed Evangel's lead down to two. On the final possession of the half, Coffie missed a layup in the paint, but a great hustle play by the freshman, Garrett Davault, gave Evangel the offensive rebound and a basket at the buzzer to take a 36-32 lead into the halftime break.

Evangel was able to hold a seven point lead for most of the beginning of the second half with a Pritchett old fashioned three point play with 16:14 remaining being the last seven point lead the Valor would have. Indiana Tech then used an 11-0 run over the next three minutes to take a 51-47 lead. Martinborough and Alvarado were able to even the score at 51-51 and for the remainder of the match, the game would go back and forth. A 16-7 Indiana Tech run over the next ten minutes proved to be a difference maker in the match, but the Valor would not go down without a fight. Down nine with 1:20 remaining, Martinborough scored a layup, followed by a three point play for Coffie, making it 67-63, in favor of the Warriors. A pair of missed ITU free throws was followed by a Pritchett three pointer, making it a one point game, 67-66, with 23 seconds remaining. On the following possession, the Valor defense attempted to force a ITU turnover, and ended up losing the Warriors big man in the midst of the press, as he dunked the ball to extend their lead to three points. On Evangel's next possession, the Valor had an opportunity as a three, but the shot missed iron and EU was forced to foul. ITU was able to nail both free throws and ice the game, ending Evangel's chances at the run to the National Championship, 71-66.

QUOTABLE 

 "Despite the hurt of this loss, I'm really proud of our team this year. These guys fought every single game the entire year and never gave up," head coach Bert Capel stated. "I'll miss coaching our five seniors, however, I know they will be well prepared as they enter life after Evangel. I also want to say thank you to all the students, families, and fans for their support throughout the year. They were awesome in so many ways and we couldn't have had the season we did without them." 

NOTABLE 

• Pritchett led the way for Evangel with 21 points in the loss.

• Evangel shot just 35.5 percent from the floor compared to ITU's 52.3 percent.

• Indiana Tech shot 35 free throws to Evangel's 19.

• Martinborough and Alvarado scored 13 and 11 points in the loss, respectively.

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—