The Basics

Score: (RV) Evangel 96, College of the Ozarks 91

Location: Point Lookout, Mo. (Keeter Gymnasium) 

Records: Evangel (1-1), C of O (1-0) 

Box Score 

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -- Valor Women's Basketball returned to action on Thursday (Nov. 6) evening, just two days following their matchup with Columbia, looking to bounce back after a loss to a tough Cougar squad against an equally tough C of O team. Despite dropping nine straight contests to the rival Bobcats, a big third quarter performance and strong shooting late pushed Evangel to a 96-91 victory in Point Lookout, their first win at the rival school since 2005.

Evangel jumped out to a 13-6 lead over the Bobcats, a run capped off by a jumper from Heaven Shockley, before C of O came roaring back, taking a one point lead Evangel, 20-19. The Valor continued to fight and a Kamie Jenkins converted an old-fashioned three point play to close out the quarter, trailing by just one point, 25-24.

C of O took their largest lead of the evening in the second quarter, hitting a three pointer to lead 41-33 over EU. Four points from Cassidy Hambelton as well as baskets from Shockley and Ellison Mehrhoff tied the game up at 41-41. Both teams would trade baskets to the finish of the period, with C of O closing out the period by scoring to take a two point lead over EU, 48-46.

Shockley opened the third quarter with a basket to tie the game and Carson Dillard nailed a three to give EU the lead, 51-48. Each team battled in the period as Lydia Babirye and Ellison Mehrhoff both scored six points to lead Evangel in the quarter, outscoring C of O by seven points to lead 69-64 heading into the final frame.

The Bobcats would battle to even the score at the beginning of the final quarter, but the trio of Ali Kamies, Heaven Shockley, and Carson Dillard had answers for every C of O run, as a Kamies three pointer gave EU their largest lead of the evening, 91-80, with 4:10 remaining in the contest. Evangel was able to cruise the rest of the way, taking a 96-91 victory, after C of O hit a three pointer at the buzzer, to break their nine game losing streak against the Bobcats.

QUOTABLE 

"I'm incredibly proud of our team effort tonight and how our team stayed composed, competed with heart, and trusted each other when it mattered most," stated Head Coach Madi Wallace. "Wins like this aren't just about the scoreboard, they're about growth, grit, and belief."

NOTABLE 

• Heaven Shockley led Evangel with 24 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks in the win.

• Kamie Jenkins led EU with nine rebounds on Tuesday.

• Cassidy Hambelton passed off a team high five assists and came away with four steals.

• Evangel shot 52.1 percent from the floor in the win.

UP NEXT

Evangel WBB opens conference play next Saturday (Nov. 15) afternoon, taking on the Friends Falcons at 1:00 p.m. in Wichita, Kansas.

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.