The Basics

Score: Evangel 64, Mid-America Christian 73

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

Records: Evangel (5-7); MACU (9-3)

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Valor Men's Basketball returned home for their final home game of 2024, hosting the Mid-America Christian Evangels in a non-conference matchup between KCAC and Sooner schools. The Evangels came out victorious on Wednesday in a tale of two halves, after the Valor won half number one, but were outscored by 16 in the second half, falling 64-73.

MACU jumped out to an early 12-4 lead over Evangel on Tuesday night, as the Valor used the first five minutes of play to find their footing. An 8-2 run by the Valor, with three pointers coming from Harrison Doennig and Manrique Alvarado, helped Evangel come back and trail 14-12 with 12:52 remaining in the first half. MACU was able to hold the lead until the 8:43 mark when a layup from Luke Foster went in, putting the Valor ahead, 20-19. A three point barrage from Evangel, with two coming from Carson Cavalier and one coming from Garrett Davault, helped push Evangel out to a 31-25 lead. The Valor were able to keep distance on the scoreboard to close out the first half, taking a 38-31 lead into the halftime break. 

After Garrett Davault opened the second half with a layup to put the Valor ahead by nine, the Evangels beared down and generated a run of their own, retaking the lead, 43-42, over the Valor with 15:26 remaining in the game. Every run that MACU made was answered by strong three point shooting from the Valor, this time as Bryce Ware and Isaac Wootton did the damage for EU. With 8:53 remaining in the game, a Ty Campbell basket had the Valor ahead, 56-50. MACU was able to take advantage of a scoring drought from Evangel and with 4:34 remaining, a three pointer from Josh Mason made it a tied 61-61 ballgame. Unfortunately for Evangel, a MACU 8-0 run, the largest of the night for the visiting team, gave the Evangels a 69-61 lead with just 2:44 remaining. Alvarado was able to knock down a three pointer, but Evangel was unable to earn stops on their ensuing defensive possessions, ultimately falling, 73-64.

QUOTABLE 

"I thought we played a great first half against a good MACU team. I was disappointed we did not match their (MACU) energy coming out at halftime," head coach Bert Capel stated. "However, despite the slow start, we had a chance to put them away down the stretch and could not finish the game. We're getting better, we just have to find a way to get it done."

NOTABLE 

• Garrett Davault and Bryce Ware led the Valor with 11 points.

• Manrique Alvarado rounded out double digit scoring on Tuesday, scoring 10 in the loss.

• Logan Rodgers led Evangel with five assists.

• The Valor were outscored, 34-22, in the paint on Tuesday night.

UP NEXT 

Valor MBB hits the road on Friday (Dec. 20) afternoon, taking on the Missouri Baptist Spartans at 3:00 p.m. in St. Louis, Missouri, for their final game in 2024.

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—