SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Men's Basketball qualified for the KCAC Conference Tournament for their play in the regular season, earning the four seed, and will play host to the Saint Mary Spires, who earned the five seed in the conference tournament.
Tip-off for Thursday's game is set for 7:00 p.m. as the Valor look to take the win in what could be the last official game in the Ashcroft Center. Tickets will not be sold at the door and must be purchased online by clicking here. Passes will not be accepted at the door. Students and children five and under get in for free.
SERIES HISTORY
Evangel and Saint Mary matchup for just the second time all-time on Thursday. The Valor will look to avenge their loss to the Spires earlier this season, 78-87, in Leavenworth.
OPENING STORYLINES
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Evangel plays host to the Saint Mary Spires on Thursday (Feb. 29) evening in the KCAC Conference Tournament Quarterfinals at 7:00 p.m.
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Valor Men's Basketball pulled off the upset victory against the nationally ranked #4 OKWU Eagles on Saturday, 80-74.
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Evangel is currently 6-1 in the month of February, their best month by winning percentage this season.
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Josh Pritchett recorded his 2000th career point in Evangel's win on Saturday, leading the Valor with 23 total points.
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Jace Coffie (13 pts.), and Josh Mason (11 pts.) rounded out double digit scoring for the Valor on Saturday.
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Evangel shot 52.5 percent against Oklahoma Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon.
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Four Valor athletes average double digit scoring so far this season, with Josh Pritchett leading the charge with 16.1 points per game.
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If Evangel wins on Thursday, the Valor will either travel to #1 Oklahoma Wesleyan or host #8 Bethel on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m.
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Pritchett ranks in the EU record book in several different categories. Josh currently is 2nd in Evangel history in assists (549) and steals (227), 4th in scoring (2,000), 5th in three point makes (217), as well as 6th in blocks (76).
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Evangel's win against OKWU moves the all-time matchup back to .500 (9-9).
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Opponents shoot the most three pointers against the Valor defense in the KCAC, as Evangel has had 755 three pointers shot against them. (Next closest is OKWU with 712.)
LOOKING AHEAD
With a win, Evangel Men's Basketball will take on either #1 Oklahoma Wesleyan in Bartlesville, Okla., or host the #8 Bethel Threshers at home at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday (Mar. 2) evening. With a loss, the Valor will await the NAIA National Tournament selection show (Mar. 7) to see if they did enough to earn an at-large bid for the tournament.
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.
