The Basics

Score: Evangel 79, Avila 62

Location: Kansas City, Mo. (Mabee Gymnasium)

Records: Evangel (14-9, 12-6); Avila (4-16, 3-15)

Box Score 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After defeating McPherson on the road on Wednesday and moving into sole possession of fourth place in the conference, Valor MBB concluded their road stand with a matchup against former Heart of America Conference foe, Avila. Evangel and Avila played a narrow contest, but ultimately, the Valor used a strong end to the second half to pull away from the Eagles, 79-62.

Avila raced out to an early 11-4 lead over Evangel with 16:45 remaining in the first half. The Valor would respond with a 12-0 run over the span of three minutes to take a 16-11 lead over Avila, with baskets coming from Manrique Alvarado, Josh Pritchett, and Garrett Davault. Avila would retake the lead back from EU, 25-21, with 9:38 remaining in the first half. Garrett Davault would have a strong end to the half for EU, helping the Valor to retake and extend their halftime lead over the home team, 40-32, after scoring seven points in the final seven minutes of the half.

A pair of baskets from Josh Mason and a tip-in from Garrett Davault would extend the EU lead to double digits, 46-36, with 15:48 remaining in the game. Avila would fight back over the next four minutes, bringing the game down to just a three point Evangel lead. A pair of free throws from Broc Smith and three pointer from Carson Cavalier helped the Valor take an eight point lead over Avila, 55-47. Avila's six point deficit right after Cavalier's three would be the closest Avila would come in the final nine minutes of the game to the Evangel lead, as the Valor offense heated up, scoring 24 points in the final nine minutes to capture a 79-62 road victory over the Avila Eagles, Evangel's sixth consecutive win of the season.

QUOTABLE 

"I didn't think we played very well on the road today. We made too many mistakes and got out worked for most of the game," head coach Bert Capel stated. "Despite those areas, I was proud of our team for beating a tough team on the road."

NOTABLE 

• Garrett Davault led the Valor with 19 points in the win on Saturday.

• Josh Pritchett (15 pts.), Josh Mason (11 pts.), and Carson Cavalier (11 pts.) rounded out double digit scoring for Evangel on Saturday.

• EU outrebounded Avila, 36-34, on Saturday.

• Both Garrett Davault and Josh Pritchett were just two rebounds short of double-double performances, finishing their afternoon with eight.

• Evangel outshot the Eagles on Saturday. 47.7 percent to Avila's 42.6 percent.

NEXT UP 

Valor MBB returns home on Wednesday (Feb. 14) evening to open a two game home stand against the Bethany Swedes at 7:30 p.m. in the Ashcroft Center.

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—