The Basics

Score: Evangel 58, #6 Dakota State 65

Location: Lake Wales, Fla. (Turner Athletic Center) 

Records: Evangel (6-7), Dakota State (9-3) 

Box Score 

LAKE WALES, Fla. -- Evangel Women's Basketball concluded the Warner Classic on Friday (Dec. 20) afternoon, taking on the Dakota State Trojans, who came into Friday's game as the sixth ranked team in the nation. An exceptional first half of play for Evangel was not enough, as Dakota State used a big third quarter to force the Valor to fall in a valiant effort, 58-65.

The Valor came out quickly on Friday, going on a 10-3 run over the first five minutes of play, with baskets coming from Micah Clayton and Ali Kamies. Despite being without sophomore leading rebounder, Kamie Jenkins, the Valor crashed the boards hard in the first half and made sure to limit second chance possessions for Trojans. Dakota State was able to make a run to take the lead over Evangel in the final moments, 13-12, but a layup by Carson Dillard to close out the first quarter gave the Valor a 14-13 lead at the end of the quarter.

Evangel was able to extend their lead in the second quarter, as Micah Clayton continued to dominate in the first half in the paint. Lexi Berry also had a strong quarter for the Valor, scoring six points to help lead Evangel in the second period of play. Every chance Dakota State had at making a run was extinguished by an Evangel basket, as EU outscored the nationally ranked Trojans by five points in the second quarter, taking a 34-28 lead into halftime.

The absence of Kamie Jenkins was noticed in the third quarter, as Dakota State was able to score several second chance baskets and generate a run coming out of the halftime break. Baskets by Ali Kamies helped push the Valor out to a 38-32 lead over the Trojans, but a 7-0 run in response from DSU gave the Trojans a 39-38 lead. With 4:05 remaining in the quarter, Micah Clayton buried a pair of free throws, giving EU a 42-41 lead, but this would be the final points for Evangel in the period, as DSU ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to force EU to trail, 49-42, heading into the final period of play.

The Valor offense began the fourth quarter cold, but was able to heat up towards the end of the period. The Trojans were able to push out to as much as a 13-point lead midway through the final quarter, but Evangel did not go down without a fight. A basket from Lexi Berry and six consecutive points from Ali Kamies made it a 61-54 ballgame with 1:54 remaining. Evangel was able to get a stop on the ensuing possession, but was unable to score, forcing the Valor to have to foul late. DSU was able to score a layup and pair of free throws late, as Micah Clayton was able to score the final four points for Evangel, ultimately falling, 58-65, against the nationally ranked squad on Friday.

QUOTABLE 

"I loved our intensity and effort today and for the last two games. Dakota State is ranked sixth in the nation for a reason and when we had an offensive lull in the third quarter, they took advantage," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "It was a good week of competition and I'm proud of this group as we are continuing to grow!"

NOTABLE 

• Micah Clayton led Evangel with 20 points and pulled down a team high 14 rebounds.

• Jazzy Kirby passed off four assists on Friday.

• Lexi Berry came away with a pair of steals.

• Ali Kamies (16 pts.) and Lexi Berry (12 pts.) rounded out double digit scoring for the Valor on Friday.

• Evangel was without leading rebounder Kamie Jenkins on Friday.

UP NEXT 

Evangel enjoys the Christmas break and hits the road on January 4th, 2025, to take on the McPherson Bulldogs in McPherson, Kansas at 12:00 p.m.

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—