The Basics

Score: #5 Evangel 72, #4 Kansas Wesleyan 81

Location: Salina, Kan. (Mabee Gymnasium) 

Records: Evangel (16-10), Kansas Wesleyan (17-12) 

Box Score 

SALINA, Kan. -- Evangel Women's Basketball traveled to Salina, Kansas, on Wednesday (Feb. 28) evening for the quarterfinal round of the KCAC conference tournament, taking on the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes. In what would prove to be a tight contest nearly the entire game, the Coyotes would hit 58.3 percent of their shots, including four three pointers in the final quarter, to overcome Evangel's narrow lead, as the Valor fell, 81-72.

Evangel and Kansas Wesleyan played a dead even first quarter, as both teams scored 19 points. Both teams would trade baskets to open the game, but with the game tied 7-7, the Valor would go on a 7-0 run, fueled by baskets from Jade Hinzman, Carson Dillard, and Kamie Jenkins, to take a 14-7 lead. KWU would fight back, ending the quarter on a trio of free throw makes to cap off a 12-5 run, tying the game 

Kansas Wesleyan would lead for the majority of the second quarter, but with 2:05 remaining in the quarter, a Lexi Berry basket would tie the game up at 30-30 and four consecutive points by Carson Dillard would make it 34-30 with 1:03 left in the half. KWU would score three points to close out the quarter with Evangel leading, 34-33, at the halftime break behind Dillard's 14 points.

Carson Dillard, Kamie Jenkins, Micah Clayton, and Kate Gilbert would all score for the Valor in the third quarter as EU was able to once again outscore the Coyotes by a single point. Gilbert's jumper with 30 seconds on the clock would lift EU to their two point lead, 57-55, over the Coyotes, heading into the final frame of play.

The Valor would come out strong to open the fourth quarter, using a pair of free throws and a three pointer from Carson Dillard to take a seven point lead with 8:43 remaining in the game, 62-55. Over the next three minutes, KWU would use a 15-4 run, hitting several three pointers to take a 70-66 lead over EU. A Kamie Jenkins basket would make it 70-68, but Kansas Wesleyan would hit back to back three pointers to re extend the lead to 76-68 with just two minutes left. Dillard would nail a three to draw the Valor to within five points, 76-71, but the Coyotes would close the door on EU, falling 81-72, and ending the Valor 2023-24 season.

QUOTABLE 

"What a great year for our women's basketball team. I am so proud of each player and amazed at their efforts all year on and off the court. They have represented our university well," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "As for tonight, Kansas Wesleyan hit big shots when they had to. I tip my hat to them. A big thank you to everyone who supported us this year. We will take some time to reflect, and then get ready for next season. Valor Up!"

NOTABLE 

• Carson Dillard broke her career high on Wednesday night, scoring 28 points.

• Kamie Jenkins finished her night with 20 points and 13 rebounds, as the freshman of the year in the KCAC finished her first collegiate season with another double-double.

• Jazzy Kirby passed off a team high three assists in the loss.

• Evangel turned the ball over just nine times in the loss.

• Evangel concluded their 23-24 campaign with 16 wins, the most since the 2019-20 season (20).

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.