The Basics

Score: Evangel 80, Oklahoma Wesleyan 69

Location: Springfield, Mo. (Ashcroft Center) 

Records: Evangel (16-9, 14-8), Oklahoma Wesleyan (10-18, 8-14) 

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Evangel Women's Basketball played host to the Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles on Saturday (Feb. 24) afternoon, in front of a capacity crowd for Evangel's final regular season game in the Ashcroft Center. A strong second half of offense fueled the Valor to a solid 80-69 victory over the OKWU Eagles.

The Oklahoma Wesleyan defense forced several Valor turnovers in the first quarter (8) and scored six points off of those turnovers. Evangel was able to make a slight run at the lead, drawing within five points after the Eagles had captured a nine point lead, but ultimately EU would trail at the end of the quarter, 22-14.

The Valor were able to outscore the Eagles in the second quarter, unfortunately only by a single point. Both Kamie Jenkins and Carson Dillard were Evangel's driving forces, as both athletes scored six points in the frame. A Jazzy Kirby basket with four minutes remaining in the quarter made it just a three point OKWU lead, 31-28, but the Eagles would fight back to make it a 43-36 game at the halftime break, in favor of the visitors.

Evangel's offense got hot in the third quarter, scoring 22 points to take the lead over the Eagles. A 16-3 run by the Valor over the span of six minutes helped EU to take the lead over the Eagles, capped off by a Lydia Babirye jumper to make it a 54-49 Valor lead. The Valor were able to maintain their five point lead throughout the remainder of the third quarter, taking a 58-53 lead into the final quarter, led by Carson Dillard's seven points in the period.

The Valor were able to expand their lead in the final quarter, going on a 12-0 run to open the final frame, taking a 70-53 lead. The run proved to be enough to push the Valor over the hump, as EU would score 10 more points the rest of the way, en route to a 80-69 victory over the OKWU Eagles, in front of a sold out Ashcroft Center.

QUOTABLE 

"We had to grind today. In the first half, we allowed too many dribble penetrations and did not guard Neely or Jefferies well. Plus, we missed way too many free throws," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "Our defense came alive in the second half and got us rolling. We made better choices on offense too. A great way to finish out the Ashcroft Center with a "W"."

NOTABLE 

• Carson Dillard put up a huge performance for the Valor on Saturday afternoon, scoring 23 points on 9-14 shooting from the floor.

• Micah Clayton also put forth a strong offensive performance, scoring 18 points and pulling down six rebounds.

• Jazzy Kirby passed off a team high five assists in the win.

• Evangel turned the ball over 22 times, forcing 18 OKWU turnovers in the game.

UP NEXT

Evangel Women's Basketball will await for KWU vs York to finish on Saturday (Feb. 24) evening to see whether they will host a conference quarterfinal match or travel for the conference quarterfinals. More information will be released on Saturday (Feb. 24) evening.

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.