The Basics

Score: Evangel 65, Saint Mary 72

Location: Leavenworth, Kan. (Ryan Sports Center) 

Records: Evangel (8-5, 6-4), Saint Mary (13-3, 10-0) 

Box Score 

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. -- Valor Women's Basketball took on the conference leading Saint Mary Spires on Saturday (Jan. 13) afternoon, looking to grab a tough road win in Leavenworth. Despite a strong offensive third and fourth quarters, Saint Mary outscored the Valor in the first half, which Evangel could not overcome, hanging tough but ultimately falling to the Spires, 72-65.

Six different Valor athletes recorded points in the first quarter for Evangel, as the Valor netted 12 total points in the quarter. Lexi Berry opened scoring for the Valor and Sarah Lwambo scored a layup in the final 30 seconds of the quarter to give the Valor a 12-10 lead, heading into the second quarter.

The conference leading Spires scored 18 points in the second quarter, hitting three three-pointers to fuel their run. The Valor trailed by as many as 11 in the frame, but a late run to end the quarter brought Evangel back within reach. A pair of Micah Clayton layups, followed by a steal and fast break basket by Jazzy Kirby made it just a five point game, in favor of USM. The Spires would hit two free throws to close out the quarter, making it a 28-21 lead for USM at halftime.

The Valor scored 22 points in the third quarter, but allowed the Spires to score 27 in the quarter, as Saint Mary hit five threes in the quarter to lead their offense. Every chance Evangel would have at a run would be stalled out by a USM three pointer. A jumper by Micah Clayton would make it just a two point USM lead, but a 19-9 run in the final 4:30 of the quarter made it 55-43 as USM led heading into the final quarter.

Carson Dillard took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points by herself to push Evangel to cut into the Spires lead. With 4:23 remaining in the game, Dillard nailed a three to make it 61-58, in favor of the Spires. Despite drawing within three, Evangel came up with empty possessions as USM continued to score. Free throw misses in the fourth quarter also hurt the Valor chances at a late comeback, as EU fell, 72-65.

QUOTABLE 

"Saint Mary has a very good, well coached team. It was a tough environment today. We didn't adjust early on to physical play that was allowed in the post. Eventually, we adjusted. I'm proud of the fight in our team and our comeback. To the credit of our opponent, when they needed an answer, they found one," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "That's why they are undefeated in conference. We got and will get better from this game. I'm proud of our team!"

NOTABLE 

• Carson Dillard scored 16 points to lead Evangel in the loss, her career high.

• Jazzy Kirby and Micah Clayton rounded out double digit scoring for the Valor on Saturday, scoring 13 and 10, respectively.

• The Valor struggled from the line in the loss, hitting just 7 of their 17 free throws on Saturday.

• Kamie Jenkins finished her afternoon with six points and 11 rebounds, her first game without a double double since December 2nd.

UP NEXT

Valor Women's Basketball returns home on Wednesday (Jan. 17) evening, hosting the Bethel Threshers at 5:30 p.m. in the Ashcroft Center.

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.