The Basics

Score: Evangel 57, Tabor 60

Location: Hillsboro, Kan. (Tabor Gymnasium) 

Records: Evangel (1-5, 1-2), Tabor (5-2, 3-0) 

Box Score 

HILLSBORO, Kan. -- Evangel Women's Basketball hit the road on Saturday (Nov. 23) afternoon, taking on the preseason conference favorites and reigning conference champion Tabor College Bluejays, in their first road matchup of the season. The Valor fought hard and hung tough with the Bluejays and had Saturday's game down to just a single possession, but ultimately could not find the score to push themselves over the top, as EU fell, 60-57.

The Valor struggled offensively in the first quarter, trying to get used to the road court after playing five consecutive home games. Ali Kamies and Micah Clayton scored baskets to get Evangel started early, but a cold streak of shooting hurt the Valor, as Tabor jumped out to as much as a 12-4 lead over EU with just 3:40 remaining in the quarter. Evangel closed the period out with a 6-3 run, using baskets by Resa Martin, Evin Montgomery, and Clayton, to trail just 15-10, heading into the second quarter.

Evangel's offense won the second quarter by a pair of points, outscoring Tabor 17-15 to trail just 30-27 at the halftime break. Ali Kamies shot a perfect 3-3 in the quarter to lead the Valor with six points, while Carson Dillard hit her first three pointer of the contest to help pace Evangel in the quarter, as EU looked to continue to fight back in the second half.

Evangel opened the third frame with a 4-0 run, taking a 31-30 lead over Tabor on baskets from Alyssa McCarty and Lexi Berry. Tabor responded by hitting a three pointer to retake the lead and from the 5:35 mark in the third quarter, both teams began to match basket for basket. Four points from Kamie Jenkins paired with a score from Jazzy Kirby made it a 42-39 game in favor of Tabor, heading into the fourth quarter.

The Bluejays were able to push out to as much as a six-point lead over the Valor with just 4:06 remaining in the ballgame, but Evangel did not back down, using jumpers from Evin Montgomery and Micah Clayton to make it a one score game. The next four scoring possessions all resulted in made free throws for both teams, as the Valor trailed 57-55 with 15 seconds remaining. Tabor went 1-2 from the charity stripe on their following possession and Montgomery drove down the floor and scored with just over three seconds remaining in the matchup, as EU trailed, 58-57. Needing a turnover on an inbounds, the Valor were unable to force one, fouling a Bluejay who made both free throws to make it a three point game. Ali Kamies was able to get one last attempt up at the buzzer to force overtime, but her shot rolled around the rim and bounced out, as the Valor took a narrow defeat, 60-57.

NOTABLE 

• Micah Clayton led the Valor with 16 points in Saturday's loss.

• Kamie Jenkins pulled down a team high nine rebounds.

• Ali Kamies came away with five steals on Saturday.

• Evangel made just a pair of three pointers in the loss, shooting 2-12 from long range.

UP NEXT 

Evangel WBB returns home on Monday (Nov. 25) evening to host the Williams Baptist Eagles at 5:30 p.m. in AGFinancial Arena for the Salvation Army Food Drive night. Entry is free for those that bring a pair of canned food items to donate to the game.

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—