The Basics

Score: Evangel 80, #4 Oklahoma Wesleyan 74

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Ashcroft Center)

Records: Evangel (17-10, 15-7); OKWU (26-2, 20-2)

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Evangel Men's Basketball took on the nationally ranked #4 Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles on Saturday (Feb. 24) afternoon, looking to pull off the upset victory in their final regular season game in the Ashcroft Center. The Valor would lock down defensively and use a strong second half to push their way to victory, closing out over 50 years of history in the Ashcroft Center with a 80-74 win over the #4 ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles.

Both teams would trade baskets to open the basketball game, as neither team could pull away from one another. With the game tied at 28-28, the Eagles would go on a 13-5 run to take their largest lead of the afternoon, 41-33. Free throws from Manrique Alvarado were followed by a basket from Jace Coffie to end the half for EU on a 4-0 run, as the Valor trailed, 41-37, heading into the halftime break.

Josh Pritchett came out on fire to open the second half, hitting three consecutive three point baskets to push the Valor out to a 46-43 lead over OKWU with 18:36 remaining in the game. The Valor were able to take a seven point lead with 11:59 remaining in the game, 61-54, on a Manrique Alvarado basket. The Eagles would quickly respond with a run to retake the lead over Evangel, 68-67, but after this point, the Valor would use efficient offense and force OKWU turnovers to take a lead they would not relinquish. With 31 seconds remaining, the Eagles would score to make it a two point game, but on Evangel's ensuing possession, the Valor would run down the clock and score a tough two point basket on a Jace Coffie jumper to take a 78-74 lead. Just seconds later, Josh Pritchett would strip the ball away and find a wide open Josh Mason for a layup to ice the game, giving EU an 80-74 victory and upset of #4 Oklahoma Wesleyan.

QUOTABLE 

"Today was a big day for Evangel Basketball, with this being the last regular season game in the Ashcroft Center and the University announcing today that they were going to name the new court after Coach Jenkins," head coach Bert Capel stated. "We really wanted to find a way to get this win. Oklahoma Wesleyan is a very good team and we knew that it was going to be tough, but I'm glad our guys found a way, despite everything going on, to finish out the final regular season game in the Ashcroft Center!"

NOTABLE 

• Josh Pritchett led the Valor in the win, scoring 23 points. Pritchett also led the team with 10 assists, his second game this season with double digit assists.

• Pritchett also recorded his 2000th point in the win on Saturday.

• Garrett Davault pulled down a team high seven rebounds.

• Evangel shot 52.5 percent from the floor in the win.

NEXT UP 

Evangel Men's Basketball has clinched the four seed in the KCAC conference tournament and will host at 7:00 p.m. next Thursday (Feb. 29) evening against the five seed, to be determined. Tickets will go on sale on Sunday (Feb. 25) morning.

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.