The Basics 

Score: Evangel 74, #17 Bethel 69

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

Records: Evangel (7-3, 3-2), Bethel (7-3, 3-2)

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Evangel Men's Basketball played host to the 17th ranked Bethel College Threshers on Saturday (Dec. 6) afternoon, looking to take their fourth straight win with a victory against the nationally ranked squad. Despite a late second half push from the Threshers, clutch baskets paired with exceptional free throw shooting late gave EU a 74-69 upset victory on Saturday.

Harrison Doennig and Jacob Lafferty both nailed three pointers to lead 6-2 early, but Bethel would fight back to draw even and ultimately take a two point lead, 17-15, with 9:46 remaining in the first half. Tommy Pinegar re-gave EU the lead with a three pointer, but once again, Bethel took a lead, this time three points, 21-18. A 8-0 EU run with three points coming from Doennig and Garrett Davault pushed the Valor out to a 26-21 lead with just over six minutes remaining. Bethel tied the game up at 31-31, before Lafferty scored to close out the half, giving EU a 33-31 lead at halftime.

Evangel jumped out to a nine-point lead on three different occasions in the second half, before Bethel began to make a run. With 10:59 remaining, Davault scored to make it a 53-44 lead, before a 12-0 Bethel run gave the Threshers a 56-53 lead in the span of three and a half minutes. Both teams traded baskets and a Bethel jumper made it 62-59 with 4:38 remaining. A reverse dunk by Lafferty helped swing momentum back in EU's favor and Pinegar gave the Valor a 63-62 lead on a pass from Drew McMillin. Bethel tied the game at 66-66 with 1:24 remaining, but Lafferty nailed a pair of free throws and Evangel earned a stop on the defensive end, needing to make free throws to close out the game. Davault nailed a pair, followed by four consecutive makes from Ty Campbell to solidify Evangel's win, 74-69.

QUOTABLE 

"I didn't think we handled Bethel's press well in the first half," head coach Bert Capel stated. "We were much better in the 2nd half and hit some big free throws at the end to escape with a win."

NOTABLE 

• Garrett Davault led Evangel in scoring (25) and steals (7).

• Jacob Lafferty rounded out double digit scoring with 20 points in the win.

• Evangel out rebounded Bethel, 28-25.

UP NEXT

Evangel MBB travels to Ottawa, Kansas, on Wednesday (Dec. 10) evening, taking on the Ottawa Braves at 7:30 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.