The Basics

Score: Evangel 99, (RV) Columbia 95

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

Records: Evangel (1-0); Columbia (0-1)

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Valor Men's Basketball hosted the Columbia College Cougars, who were receiving votes in the first NAIA Top 25 poll, on Friday (Nov. 1) evening, to open the 2024-25 season. Looking to make a statement win, the Men's Basketball team shot exceptionally well, hitting 50 percent of their three point shots, en route to a 99-95 win over the Cougars.

Columbia jumped out to an early seven-point lead, 5-12, in the first half of Friday's game, before Evangel fought back, with threes from Carson Cavalier, Stephen Salvi, and a layup from Garrett Davault, to make it a 13-12 game. Back and forth baskets ensued from both teams before Logan Rodgers threw down a dunk and scored a layup to put the Valor ahead by four, 30-26. The Cougars continued to fight, hitting several three pointers to retake the lead, and a late three pointer from Collin Parker put the Cougars ahead by four at the halftime break, 41-45, over Evangel.

At the 15:57 mark of the second half, Columbia took a eight point lead, 49-57, over Evangel. A pair of three pointers from Carson Cavalier, paired by free throws from Garrett Davault, tied the game up at 59-59. Both teams traded baskets for the duration of the second half, with Manrique Alvarado coming alive to lead the charge for the Valor offensively. A three pointer from Columbia with 45 seconds remaining tied the game up at 91-91, before the Valor offense took over. A layup from Garrett Davault was followed by a steal from Isaac Wootton. Alvarado buried a pair of free throws on the next possession and a three point miss from the Cougars helped Evangel build their lead. Davault buried a pair of free throws to make it a 97-91 game, icing the win for the Valor, 99-94, over Columbia.

QUOTABLE 

"I was disappointed in our defensive play this evening, but our offense really showed up," head coach Bert Capel stated. "Despite our poor defense, I thought we played well on the offensive end and found a way to finish the game against a really good Columbia team. I thought the environment in the first game in the arena was incredible, thank you to everyone who came out and made the first game so special!"

NOTABLE 

• Manrique Alvarado led the charge for Evangel, scoring 22 points and passing off eight assists in the win.

• Garrett Davault (18 pts.), Carson Cavalier (17 pts.), Stephen Salvi (12 pts.), and Isaac Wootton (11 pts.), rounded out double digit scoring for the Valor.

• Davault and Salvi recorded seven rebounds to lead EU.

• Evangel shot 50 percent from three, hitting 16 in the win.

• This is Evangel's first win over Columbia since 2021.

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—