The Basics

Score: Evangel 81, (RV) Kansas Wesleyan 86

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena) 

Records: Evangel (9-9, 7-5), Kansas Wesleyan (15-3, 11-1) 

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Evangel Women's Basketball returned home on Saturday (Jan. 18) afternoon, facing off with the conference leading Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes, who were receiving votes in the most recent Top 25 Coaches Poll. Despite a tough first quarter, the Valor valiantly fought in the fourth, nearly coming back from a deficit of 18 points on Saturday, falling 81-86.

Evangel opened the quarter with the first two baskets of the game from Resa Martin and Carson Dillard to give EU a 4-0 lead. Kansas Wesleyan began to get hot from the floor and in the span of three minutes, both teams were in a flurry of trading baskets, as a Jazzy Kirby three pointer made it a 9-9 ballgame. An 11-1 Coyote run in response gave Kansas Wesleyan a 20-10 lead that they expanded upon over the final four minutes of play, as EU trailed, 18-32, heading into the second period.

After Kansas Wesleyan scored 32 points in the first quarter, the Coyotes cooled off from the floor, as the Valor were able to slightly outscore their opponents in the second quarter, 11-10. After the Yotes jumped out to an 18-point lead, Kamie Jenkins, Carson Dillard, and Evin Montgomery used a 7-0 run to make it 25-36. Both teams traded baskets to close the half with EU trailing by 13 at halftime, 29-42.

The Valor were able to get Saturday's game to a nine point deficit in the third quarter on a three pointer from Carson Dillard with 8:18 remaining in the period, but Kansas Wesleyan would outscore Evangel by eight in the remainder of the quarter, as the Coyotes had a 50-67 lead, heading into the final period of play.

Evangel used the fourth quarter to come roaring back into reach. Despite trailing by 17 to open the quarter and 14 points with 5:07 remaining, Carson Dillard took over, scoring five points, paired with free throws from Ali Kamies and a jumper from Micah Clayton to make it just a five point game, 69-74. EU battled and a jumper from Dillard made it 72-75 with 2:12 remaining in the game. Unfortunately for EU, it appeared all their energy had been used in their flurry of a comeback, as Kansas Wesleyan began to score baskets and the Valor could not respond, ultimately falling 81-86.

QUOTABLE 

"We dug ourselves a hole early on against the number one team in the conference. We had a great second half effort by our team as we fought back well defensively and shared the ball. It was great to see Carson get back to being herself and what a job by Lydia Babirye today," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "Babirye's defense, great passing into Kamie, and ability to get to the rim were exciting to witness. Her game can be a big part of us moving forward positively there next 10 games."

NOTABLE 

• Carson Dillard led the Valor with 32 points in the loss, her career high.

• Kamie Jenkins rounded out double digit scoring with 11 points and finished with a double double, pulling down a team high 14 rebounds.

• Lydia Babirye led EU with five assists.

• Dillard's 32 points are the most by an Evangel WBB athlete since Bayley Harman scored 32 against William Penn on Jan. 30th, 2021.

UP NEXT 

Evangel hits the road on Wednesday (Jan. 22) evening, taking on the Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles in Bartlesville, Okla., at 5:30 p.m.

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—