The Basics

Score: Evangel 68, Bethany 64

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Ashcroft Center) 

Records: Evangel (14-8, 12-7), Bethany (13-8, 11-8) 

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- After taking a defensive battle on the road against Avila, the Valor Women's Basketball team returned home to host the Bethany Swedes, in a battle for sole possession of fifth place in the conference standings. A narrow back-and-forth battle between the two teams came down to the fourth quarter of play. Micah Clayton took over in the post in the final quarter, scoring 10 points to lead the Valor to a win over Bethany, 68-64.

Kate Gilbert would generate the majority of the Valor offense in the first quarter, scoring seven points. Bethany would jump out to a 10-5 lead with just five minutes left in the quarter, but a three pointer from Gilbert, followed by a layup from Micah Clayton would even the score at 10-10. Both teams would battle, changing leads on a pair of occasions in the quarter, but a Kohnnar Patton tip-in at the buzzer would fall, giving the Valor a 16-14 lead over the Swedes.

The Valor would jump out to a lead, reaching as much as eight points in the quarter on a Carson Dillard three pointer. Bethany would score baskets, but Evangel was able to hold the Swedes to not score over the final 2:29 of the half, as another Dillard three made it a 30-24 game at the halftime break.

The Evangel offense would keep fighting, but Bethany would even the score in the third quarter. A Swedes free throw in the final two seconds would give Bethany the lead over Evangel, 46-45, after the Valor were outscored by seven points in the quarter.

Micah Clayton would take over in the post in the final quarter, scoring 10 total points to help the Valor re-capture the lead. The Valor would take a six-point lead after four straight points by Lydia Babirye in the quarter and extend it out to seven towards the end of the frame as Bethany was forced to foul. Free throws by Kamie Jenkins, Lexi Berry, and Clayton helped to ice the game, 68-64, in Evangel's favor.

QUOTABLE 

"Great night of basketball for our program. Championship atmosphere, two teams fighting it out for a chance of a possible 1st round home game. Our defense held tight when we needed big stops in the fourth quarter," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "Then our players hit free throws down the stretch to seal it. Finally, a big shout out to our football team supporting us tonight!"

NOTABLE 

• Micah Clayton led Evangel with 19 total points.

• Carson Dillard (15 pts.) and Kate Gilbert (12 pts.) rounded out double digit scoring on Wednesday.

• Kamie Jenkins pulled down 10 total rebounds in the win.

• Evangel's defense forced 17 total turnovers on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Valor Women's Basketball competes in their penultimate home game on Saturday (Feb. 17) afternoon, taking on the Sterling College at 3:00 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—