The Basics

Score: Evangel 78, Bethel 58

Location: North Newton, Kan. (Thresher Gym) 

Records: Evangel (3-6, 2-3), Bethel (4-7, 3-2) 

Box Score 

NORTH NEWTON, Kan. -- Evangel Women's Basketball traveled to North Newton, Kansas, on Saturday (Dec. 7) afternoon, looking to take a win on the road against the Bethel Threshers, after falling in a narrow battle with Saint Mary on Wednesday. A balanced offensive performance including a dominant fourth quarter fueled EU to a 20-point victory over the Threshers, 78-58.

Bethel opened scoring on Saturday with a three pointer, but the Valor quickly responded, using an and-one basket from Carson Dillard and a three pointer from Ali Kamies to take a 6-3 lead. Resa Martin, Evin Montgomery, and Emily Recker all added long range shots to add to the Valor total, as EU scored 22 points, their most of a single quarter on Saturday to take a 22-12 lead into the second quarter.

The Valor were outscored in the second quarter, 18-24, as the Threshers increased their offensive production in the period. Bethel shot 52 percent and were able to draw within four points of the Evangel lead after nailing a last second three point attempt, making it a 40-36 ballgame at halftime.

Carson Dillard pushed the Valor out to an 11 point lead to open the second half, but again the Threshers would respond, finding baskets to get the Evangel lead down to just six points with 33 seconds remaining in the quarter. Kamie Jenkins scored a basket to end the quarter, keeping the Valor ahead, 58-50, over Bethel.

Evangel dominated the final quarter, using strong defensive play to allow the Threshers to only score eight points and shoot 23 percent in the final period. A 17-5 run for Evangel in the first eight minutes of the quarter, with almost all but a pair of points coming from Valor starters, pushed the Valor to victory, 78-58, their third win of the year.

QUOTABLE 

"Arguably the best four quarters we have put together so far this season. Bethel is a tough place to play. Our freshman scored 28 points off the bench today, so hats off to Emily, Evin, Morgan, and Resa!," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "Our zone defense was lights out in the second half. This team needed a big win and we got the shot in the arm that we needed!"

NOTABLE 

• Carson Dillard led Evangel with 16 points in the win.

• Ali Kamies passed off a team high five assists on Saturday.

• Micah Clayton pulled down seven rebounds in the win.

• The Valor shot 45 percent from the floor, nearly doubling their percentage from Wednesday's loss.

UP NEXT 

Evangel WBB returns home for their final home game of 2024, hosting the Ottawa Braves at 5:30 p.m. in AGFinancial Arena.

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—