The Basics

Score: Evangel 97, Bethany 86

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

Records: Evangel (7-9, 4-6); Bethany (6-8, 3-6)

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Valor Men's Basketball took on the Bethany College Swedes on Saturday (Jan. 11) afternoon, looking to build off a strong overtime win on Wednesday night and earn their second consecutive win of the year. A strong shooting performance in the first half paired with a career high performance from Luke Foster helped push the Valor to victory on Saturday, 97-86.

Manrique Alvarado opened Saturday's game quickly, scoring a jumper to give the Valor an early 2-0 lead. Bethany was able to keep pace early with Evangel and even jumped out to a 16-10 lead with 11:58 left in the first half. With 7:36 left in the first half, Bethany jumped out to their largest lead of the game, 23-16, before a Garrett Davault three pointer, followed by a pair of jumpers from Luke Foster, and free throws from Manrique Alvarado gave EU a 25-23 lead over Bethany. After Bethany scored to tie the game up, Foster again came up clutch, nailing a three pointer alongside Carson Cavalier, as the Valor led, 33-27. Leading 39-36 with 1:28 remaining in the half, a foul and pair of ensuing technical fouls helped the Valor on the scoreboard, as Manrique Alvarado nailed six free throws to put EU ahead, 45-36. After Bethany hit a three pointer, a Davault basket at the end of the half gave EU a 49-41 lead at the halftime break.

Bethany came out and opened the second half on a 8-0 run to even the game on the scoreboard, 49-49. Evangel was able to weather the storm, as Logan Rodgers and Isaac Wootton nailed consecutive three pointers, making the game 57-50. The Valor pushed out to a double digit lead on a three from Bryce Ware and layup from Cole Griesemer, 64-54. Strong offensive play from the Valor continued to keep Bethany just out of reach on the scoreboard, until late in the second half when the Swedes began to heat up from long range. A three pointer with 2:55 remaining in the game made it just a four point lead for Evangel, 85-81, and Bethany was able to stay at a two possession game, answering most of Evangel's baskets. A deep three pointer from Carson Cavalier proved to be the dagger with 49 seconds remaining, putting EU ahead by nine points. Continued strong free throw shooting closed out the game on Saturday, as Evangel walked away with a 97-86 victory.

QUOTABLE 

"I was a little disappointed that we didn't start the game better, but was proud of our guys for getting it turned around midway through the first half," head coach Bert Capel stated. "I thought Bethany hit some tough shots, especially in the second half, but was glad we were able to finish the game. Stephen Salvi and Luke Foster gave us good minutes off the bench to help us get back-to-back wins to start the year."

NOTABLE 

• Garrett Davault led the Valor with 23 points in the win.

• Manrique Alvarado (16 pts.), and Luke Foster (16 pts.), scoring a career high, rounded out double digit scoring for EU.

• Four different Valor athletes finished with five rebounds.

• Garrett Davault passed off a team high five assists.

• Evangel shot 60.7 percent from the floor in the first half, finishing 50 percent in the game.

UP NEXT 

Valor MBB hits the road on Wednesday (Jan. 15) evening, taking on the Avila Eagles at 7:30 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri, looking to avenge their loss earlier in the season.

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—