The Basics

Score: Evangel 69, University of Central Missouri 83 (Exhibition)

Location: Warrensburg, Mo. (Jerry M. Hughes Athletic Center) 

Box Score 

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Evangel took on the University of Central Missouri Jennies on Saturday (Nov. 29) afternoon, looking to be competitive in an exhibition matchup with the NCAA D-II program. The Valor would use a big first quarter to lead at the halftime break, but tough shooting in the second half forced EU to come up just short of the upset exhibition win, 83-69.

Tied up at 7-7 to open the ballgame, Lydia Babirye scored seven points to help push Evangel to a lead, also aided by three pointers from Carson Dillard and Ali Kamies as the Valor took a 24-12 lead, forcing several UCM turnovers in the quarter.

Efficient offense in the second quarter kept the Evangel lead at double digits for more of the period, as a Cassidy Hambelton layup with three minutes left made it a 42-31 EU lead. A 9-2 UCM run to end the second quarter made it a tighter contest at halftime, as the Valor led 44-40.

The Valor were held scoreless for the opening three and a half minutes of the second half, as UCM took a 48-44 lead over EU. A Hambelton three pointer pushed it back to a one point deficit for Evangel, but another scoring drought allowed the Jennies to extend their lead out to double digits, 67-56. An Ali Kamies three pointer at the end of the quarter made the Valor trail 67-59, heading into the final quarter of play.

Evangel shot just 15 percent in the final period of play, as the Jennies were able to extend their lead over EU, forcing the Valor to fall 83-69 in Saturday's exhibition, despite a valiant first half effort against the NCAA D-II program

NOTABLE 

• Lydia Babirye led Evangel with 16 points and seven rebounds on Saturday.

• Cassidy Hambelton also pulled down seven rebounds and came away with a team high five steals.

UP NEXT

Evangel WBB travels to Leavenworth, Kan., on Wednesday (Dec. 3) night to take on the Saint Mary Spires at 6:00 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.