The Basics

Score: Evangel 53, Avila 45

Location: Kansas City, Mo. (Mabee Gymnasium) 

Records: Evangel (13-8, 11-7), Avila (8-16, 7-11) 

Box Score 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After a pair of dominant double-digit wins, Valor WBB hit the road to take on the Avila Eagles. With the season beginning to wrap up, every game is important as the Valor look to improve positioning for the conference tournament. Evangel would grab an early lead over the Eagles and in a narrow four quarters, the Valor defense would shut down Avila's offense, allowing just 45 points to be scored, taking a 53-45 victory on the road.

Although Evangel would score just 12 points in the first quarter, the Valor would allow just five Eagle points to be scored, using strong defense to shut down the home team's offense. Micah Clayton was Evangel's offensive catalyst in the first quarter, scoring six points to lead EU. Kohnnar Patton capped off scoring in the first quarter with a jumper to give the Valor a 12-5 lead, heading into the second quarter.

Avila outscored Evangel by four points in the second quarter. Both teams were knotted up at 19-19 with 3:30 remaining in the first half, but a pair of jumpers by Kate Gilbert put EU back ahead, 23-19, as just one Avila free throw was scored in the final three minutes, making it a 23-20 game at halftime.

The Valor defense once again came up big, allowing just seven points to be scored in the third quarter. Neither team scored much to open the second half and the Eagles were able to get the game down to just two points, 29-27, with 3:06 remaining. The Valor used an 8-0 run to end the quarter, with Patton scoring four of the eight points to take a 37-27 lead over the Eagles, heading into the final quarter.

Both teams had their highest scoring quarters in the fourth period. Avila would outscore Evangel by two points in the quarter, but strong offense by Jazzy Kirby in the quarter helped push the Valor to victory, as the Eagles would not come closer than five points from the lead in the quarter, as EU took a 53-45 road victory over Avila.

QUOTABLE 

"Another good road win. Avila needed this one today as they were fighting for the conference tournament berth, and their defense played us hard. Fortunately, our defense was a little bit better, holding them to 45 points on their home floor. Lydia Babirye had an awesome first half today. Unfortunately, she and many other players got into foul trouble, and we had to make adjustments," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "Jazzy Kirby's offense came alive in the second half, coupled with us getting to the free throw line, which gave us the space we needed to control the fourth quarter. I am tremendously proud of our ladies today!"

NOTABLE 

• Jazzy Kirby led the Valor with 11 points in the win.

• Micah Clayton and Carson Dillard both pulled down a team high eight rebounds.

• Lydia Babirye came away with four steals in the win.

• Evangel's defense held Avila to just 32 percent shooting.

UP NEXT

Valor Women's Basketball returns home on Wednesday (Feb. 14) afternoon for a matchup with the Bethany Swedes at 5:30 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—