The Basics

Score: Evangel 65, Ottawa 72

Location: Ottawa, Kan. (Wilson Field House) 

Records: Evangel (15-9, 13-8), Ottawa (15-12, 10-11) 

Box Score 

OTTAWA, Kan. -- Evangel Women's Basketball hit the road on Wednesday (Feb. 21) evening to take on the Ottawa Braves in their final road game of the regular season. Despite leading at the halftime break, the Braves offense would find a rhythm as Evangel could not keep pace with the three point shooting Ottawa offense, as the Valor fell, 72-65.

The Valor would push out to an early 4-0 lead, as neither team could generate much of any offense through the first five minutes of the quarter. Evangel was able to extend out to as much as a six-point lead in the first quarter on a Jade Hinzman basket, 10-4. Ottawa would end the quarter on a 8-2 run to make it a 12-12 ballgame, heading into the second quarter.

Evangel was able to outscore Ottawa in the second quarter, going on an early run to take their largest lead of the contest, 28-20, when Kate Gilbert hit a jumper with 2:33 remaining in the quarter. The Braves would end the half on a slight run as Evangel took a 33-29 lead into the halftime break, behind solid all-around team play in the first half.

The Ottawa offense came out quickly from the halftime break, taking the lead from the Valor in the first minute of the third quarter after hitting back-to-back three pointers. Both teams would go through the remainder of the third quarter trading basket after basket. Alternating leads and ties were the highlight of the quarter, as a buzzer beater layup for the Braves gave Ottawa a three point lead heading into the final quarter of play, 50-47.

Micah Clayton would score seven points in the fourth quarter to lead Evangel, but several turnovers hurt Evangel's chances at keeping reach of Ottawa. The Braves would hit several three pointers in the quarter, seemingly at every opportunity Evangel had to begin a run. Despite Ottawa taking as big as a 14-point lead in the quarter, the Valor never backed down, fighting to get the game within just two possessions. Ultimately, the Valor came up empty on key possessions down the stretch, falling to Ottawa, 72-65.

QUOTABLE 

"Tonight was a rough one. We had way too many turnovers and that has not been customary until our last two games," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "We will get it right. I'm looking forward to being at the Ashcroft on Saturday for a great day of basketball!"

NOTABLE 

• Micah Clayton led the Valor with 19 points in the loss, coming up just a rebound short of a double-double.

• Evangel shot just 13 percent from three (2/15), compared to Ottawa's 38.5 percent (10/26).

• Evangel turned the ball over 22 times in the loss.

• Carson Dillard (11 pts.) and Kate Gilbert (10 pts.) rounded out double digit scoring in the loss on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Valor Women's Basketball returns home for what could be EU women basketball's final home game in the Ashcroft Center on Saturday (Feb. 24) afternoon at 1:00 p.m. against the Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles.

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—