The Basics

Score: Evangel 65, UCO 70

Location: Edmond, Okla. (Hamilton Field House)

Box Score 

EDMOND, Okla. -- Evangel Women's Basketball traveled to Oklahoma on Tuesday, taking on NCAA D-II University of Central Oklahoma in an exhibition matchup, looking to pull off an upset win. The Valor and Bronchos played a back and forth game that was tightly contested to the finish, with EU coming up just short in the exhibition, 70-65.

Evangel's offense struggled in the first quarter, scoring just 12 points, as the Bronchos were able to take as large as a 13-point lead, 21-8. Cassidy Hambelton closed out scoring for EU in the first quarter with four consecutive points, making it a 21-12 game, heading into the second period.

Despite continuing to struggle in the opening minutes of the second quarter, Evangel battled late, going on a 18-5 run over the final 3:40 of the first half, led by 12 points from Carson Dillard, to completely swing momentum in Evangel's favor, as the Valor lead 43-38 at the halftime break.

The Valor were able to jump out to as large as a 10-point lead (48-38) at the 7:25 mark of the third quarter, as Heaven Shockley scored a jumper. UCO would not go down without a fight though, as the Bronchos came storming back to even the game at the end of the third quarter, 55-55.

Evangel was unable to generate a late run in the final quarter of play on Wednesday, shooting 22.22 percent from the floor in the final period. The Valor would be tied with the NCAA D-II program at 62-62 with 5:35 remaining in the contest, but EU could score just three points in the final minutes, with UCO scoring eight, as the Valor came up just short of the upset in the exhibition matchup, 70-65.

NOTABLE 

• Carson Dillard led EU with 18 points.

• Heaven Shockley had a monster game, scoring 14 points, pulling down 15 rebounds, and blocking eight shots.

• Ali Kamies rounded out double digit scoring for EU, adding 13 to the final score.

UP NEXT

Evangel WBB hosts the McPherson College Bulldogs at noon on January 3rd, looking to extend their winning streak to double digits.

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.