The Basics

Score: Evangel 65, Oklahoma Wesleyan 53

Location: Bartlesville, Okla. (Mueller Sports Center) 

Records: Evangel (8-4, 6-3), Oklahoma Wesleyan (4-11, 2-7) 

Box Score 

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. -- Valor Women's Basketball traveled to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, on Wednesday (Jan. 10) evening, taking on the Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles in their second road game of 2024. Consistently strong play in every quarter, including a third quarter that the Valor allowed just nine points to be scored, fueled Evangel to their fourth consecutive win, tying their longest win streak from last season, 65-53.

Evangel was able to push out to a 7-2 lead to kick off the ball game, using three points from Lexi Berry and two points each from Kamie Jenkins and Jazzy Kirby to open scoring. OKWU would generate an 8-2 run to take the lead over the Valor over a three and a half minute span, but Evangel would lock down the OKWU offense, using baskets by Carson Dillard and Emma Mullings to take a 13-10 lead into the second quarter.

The Valor were able to push out to a nine-point lead on a pair of occasions, first on free throws from Kamie Jenkins and on free throws from Giah Moore. The Eagles would narrow Evangel's lead down to just five after their second nine-point lead, but a three from Dillard, followed by a jumper from Jenkins gave Evangel their largest lead of the first half, 28-18. Although it appeared the Valor could take a larger lead into the halftime break, OKWU ramped up their full court pressure, using a pair of steals to score two baskets, making it a 28-22 game in favor of Evangel at the halftime break.

Evangel used a strong third quarter, led by five points from Jazzy Kirby, to push out to a 12-point lead over the Eagles. The Valor defense slowed the OKWU offense, as the Eagles shot just 20 percent from the floor in the quarter, scoring just nine points as EU took a 43-31 lead, heading into the final quarter.

Both offenses came alive in the final frame as both teams scored 22 points in the quarter alone. Oklahoma Wesleyan was able to hit a pair of threes to generate a small run in the quarter, but Evangel was able to respond with baskets from Kamie Jenkins and the Valor squad. Jenkins pulled down three rebounds in the quarter to push to her sixth consecutive double-double of the season as the Valor came away with a 65-53 victory on Wednesday.

QUOTABLE 

"Good, hard-fought road win tonight. Oklahoma Wesleyan's defense made us work tonight. They caused us to turn it over uncharacteristically. However, our defense stood tight, and we hit our free throws," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "Again, a good test for our team on the road. I'm proud of our team!"

NOTABLE 

• Kamie Jenkins recorded her sixth consecutive double-double of the season, leading Evangel with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

• Carson Dillard and Jazzy Kirby also had big nights for the Valor, scoring 14 and 11 points, respectively.

• Evangel shot 50 percent from the floor in the win, compared to OKWU's 31.5 percent.

• Evangel turned the ball over 24 times on Wednesday, their second most in a single game this season.

• The Valor won the rebounding margin by 11 in the win on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Valor Women's Basketball will conclude their road trip in Leavenworth, Kan., on Saturday (Jan. 13) afternoon, taking on the conference leading Saint Mary Spires at 2:00 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—