The Basics

Score: Evangel 77, College of the Ozarks 69

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

Records: Evangel (2-0); College of the Ozarks (2-1)

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Valor Men's Basketball took on longtime rival, College of the Ozarks, on Tuesday (Nov. 5) evening, looking to take their second win of the season and the second win over their rival under head coach Bert Capel. The Valor used a strong late second half performance to push to victory, 77-69, over the Bobcats at home.

Garrett Davault opened Tuesday's game with four points, giving EU the early 4-0 lead, before C of O got on the scoreboard at the 16:59 mark with a three pointer. The Valor were able to get a pair of seven point leads in the half, leading 26-19 with 7:18 remaining on a Josh Mason fastbreak layup. Manrique Alvarado and Davault led the charge for EU in the first half, scoring six points each, but the Bobcats did fight back, ending the half with a 15-9 run to trail by just a point at the halftime break, 35-34.

The Bobcats came out quick on offense to open the second half, as the Valor did not have an answer for the offense that C of O provided, taking a nine-point lead over EU, 49-40, with 14:56 remaining in the game. After a timeout, momentum began to swing back Evangel's way. A basket by Davault, followed by a Stephen Salvi jumper, and a dunk from Josh Mason helped the Valor claw their way back. Davault and Harrison Doennig pushed EU back in the lead, 50-49, completing a 10-0 run to grab the lead. Despite EU pushing out to as much as a seven point lead, the Bobcats were able to retake the lead over Evangel, 69-68, but a 9-0 run to end the game for EU, who played strong defense in the final moments, highlighted by a dunk from Bryce Ware, solidified a 77-69 win for Evangel.

QUOTABLE 

After our game against Columbia, we really prioritized defending much better. I didn't think we moved the ball very well on offense, especially in the first half," head coach Bert Capel stated. "However I thought the last eight minutes of the game, we played well on both sides of the ball. I was proud of our guys for the way they finished the game."

NOTABLE 

• Manrique Alvarado led the charge for Evangel, scoring 15 points and passing off nine assists in the win.

• Garrett Davault (13 pts.), Josh Mason (11 pts.), and Bryce Ware (11 pts.), rounded out double digit scoring for the Valor.

• Stephen Salvi recorded seven rebounds to lead EU.

• Evangel shot 48.4 percent from the floor, just slightly edging out C of O's 47.5 percent.

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—