The Basics

Score: Evangel 82, Sterling 60

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Ashcroft Center)

Records: Evangel (16-9, 14-6); Sterling (11-14, 7-13)

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- After a large second half outburst on Wednesday, en route to a double digit victory over the Swedes of Bethany, Evangel played host to the Warriors of Sterling on Saturday (Feb. 17) evening. A strong all-around performance from the Valor squad led to a 82-60 win in the Ashcroft on Saturday, Evangel's eighth straight this season.

Over the first 12 minutes of Saturday's match, the Valor would push out to a 23-11 lead over Sterling, with key baskets coming from Bryce Hunt in the paint, but the Warriors would fight back, narrowing the Evangel lead down to just three points, 25-22. The Valor defense tightened up after this point, not allowing the Warriors to score over the final 5:51 of the first half, as EU went on a 12-0 run led by baskets from five different Valor athletes to take a 37-22 lead into the halftime break.

Consistent offensive play in the second half highlighted the second half for Evangel, as Sterling was unable to ever cut the game down to single digits. With 7:43 remaining and a 13-point Evangel lead, the Valor generated their final push to victory. A 10-2 run by EU's offense over a four minute span would put any chance at a Sterling comeback to bed, as the Valor came away with a dominant 82-60 victory over the Warriors, earning their eighth straight victory.

QUOTABLE 

"I thought we had a complete effort tonight with an emphasis on guarding the three. Our motion is continuing to get better and we're doing a better job at finishing games," head coach Bert Capel stated. "Proud of our guys effort this evening!"

NOTABLE 

• Josh Pritchett led the Valor in the win, scoring 19 points. Pritchett also led the team with seven rebounds (Bryce Hunt also finished with seven) and six assists.

• Evangel outrebounded the Warriors on Saturday, 41-32.

• Evangel shot 49.1 percent from the floor in the win, outshooting Sterling's 36.5 percent.

• Garrett Davault (12 pts.) and Josh Mason (11 pts.) rounded out double digit scoring for Evangel.

NEXT UP 

Valor MBB hits the road on Wednesday (Feb. 21) evening to take on the Ottawa Braves at 7:00 p.m. in Ottawa, Kansas.

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—