The Basics

Score: Evangel 74, Oklahoma Wesleyan 67 (OT)

Location: Bartlesville, Okla. (Mueller Sports Complex) 

Records: Evangel (10-9, 8-5), Oklahoma Wesleyan (9-10, 6-7) 

Box Score 

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. -- Evangel Women's Basketball traveled to Oklahoma Wesleyan on Wednesday (Jan. 22) evening, looking to bounce back after dropping a pair of conference matchups. Both teams fought in a narrow back and forth battle that needed an extra period to decide a winner, as Evangel shot 75 percent in the final frame, allowing just five Eagles points in a 74-67 overtime win.

The Valor came out quickly in the first quarter, generating a 13-2 run, with baskets coming from four of the five starters to give EU the early edge. A 7-0 run from the Eagles made it a 13-9 ballgame, but an Ali Kamies three pointer broke the run, as EU led 16-11 heading into the second quarter of play.

Evangel held onto their five point lead for most of the second quarter of play with a Jazzy Kirby three pointer giving the Valor a 25-17 lead with 5:38 remaining before halftime. Unfortunately for EU, the Eagles closed the half out on an 11-1 run, as the Valor grew cold from the floor and trailed, 26-28, at the halftime break.

Both the Eagles and Valor played a tightly contested third quarter, as neither team was able to create much distance on the scoreboard. The lead would change four times in the period and would be tied on four different occasions. Although the Valor were able to tie the game up several times, Evangel could not find the go ahead basket, as a Lexi Berry basket near the end of the quarter made it 41-41, but a three pointer from OKWU gave the Eagles a 41-44 lead, heading into the fourth quarter.

The Valor needed to outscore OKWU by at least three points in the quarter to earn a win or force overtime. Evangel did not open the quarter with much offensive life, as OKWU was able to jump out to a 43-51 lead over Evangel, the largest of the evening for the home team. A timeout helped revitalize the Valor offense, as baskets from Lexi Berry, Jazzy Kirby, and Evin Montgomery fueled EU back, as EU trailed, 51-53, with five minutes remaining. Evangel was able to come within a point of the lead and an Ali Kamies three pointer with 2:37 remaining gave EU a 57-55 lead over the Eagles. Both teams continued to score and trade the lead and trailing by two, Evangel's Kirby hit a layup to tie the game up at 62-62, forcing an overtime period.

Both teams scored to open the overtime period, but after several missed shots, an Emma Mullings free throw and a Kamie Jenkins layup gave EU a three point lead, 67-64. After an OKWU turnover, a Berry jumper pushed EU out to a 69-64 lead, which proved to be enough as the Eagles could not stop the Valor offense, en route to EU's 74-67 come from behind victory.

QUOTABLE 

"We dug in deep in the second half when Oklahoma Wesleyan got a lead. Our defense was rock solid through the end of regulation into overtime," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "I love the grit and fight of our team. Jazzy Kirby had a great night and it's fitting that it is her birthday!"

NOTABLE 

• Jazzy Kirby led the Valor with 17 points in Wednesday's win.

• Lexi Berry (16 pts.), Ali Kamies (12 pts.), and Kamie Jenkins (11 pts.), rounded out double digit scoring for Evangel.

• Berry pulled down a team high eight rebounds.

• Evangel shot 50.9 percent in Wednesday night's win, outshooting OKWU's 44.8 percent.

UP NEXT 

Evangel resumes their road trip on Saturday (Jan. 25) afternoon, traveling to Sterling, Kan., to take on the Sterling College Warriors at 1:00 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.