The Basics

Score: Evangel 82, Bethel 64

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena) 

Records: Evangel (12-10, 10-6), Bethel (12-10, 11-5) 

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Evangel Women's Basketball returned home on Saturday (Feb. 1) afternoon, hosting the Bethel Threshers in a game that held tournament seeding implications. A big second quarter where Evangel outscored Bethel, 25-7, proved to play a big factor as EU took a 82-64 win at home against the Threshers.

Both Evangel and Bethel played a fast paced and high scoring first quarter, as both teams traded the lead six times and were tied seven times in the period. Jazzy Kirby, Ali Kamies, and Carson Dillard did all the scoring early in the quarter, helping keep Evangel within reach of a Bethel 10-14 lead. Lydia Babirye came off the bench in the quarter and provided an immediate spark, scoring six points to push the Valor to a 16-16 tie before Bethel closed the quarter out on a run, as EU trailed 18-23 at the end of the period.

In quarter number two, Evangel used several baskets from Ali Kamies to take a 28-27 lead over the Threshers. Carson Dillard and Kamie Jenkins combined for a 9-0 run after Kamies baskets to give EU a 37-27 lead with 2:52 remaining in the half before Bethel broke the run with a free throw. Evangel closed out the half with 6-2 run, outscoring the Threshers 25-7 in the period and giving EU a 43-30 lead at the half.

After both teams opened the second half with scoring opportunities, neither team could buy a basket midway through the quarter, as Evangel and Bethel went three minutes without scoring. The Threshers were able to break their scoring drought, while the Valor struggled to handle the ball, allowing Bethel to draw within nine points of the EU lead, 54-45, with two minutes remaining. Baskets from Ellison Mehrhoff and Ali Kamies pushed EU back to a double digit lead before Bethel hit a pair of free throws, making the Valor advantage 58-49 at the end of the third quarter.

The Threshers opened the final quarter of play with a basket to draw within seven points of the Evangel lead, but a layup from Kamies and three pointer from Kirby helped push EU to a 63-51 advantage. The Valor were able to hold Bethel at arm's length for the majority of the fourth period, using timely baskets to keep their double digit lead. A near volleyball line three pointer from Jazzy Kirby proved to be the dagger in Saturday's matchup, as EU took a 82-64 victory over the Bethel Threshers.

QUOTABLE 

"The second quarter defense was big today as we outscored them (Bethel) by 18. We had a couple lulls in the second half," stated Head Coach Jim Middleton. "Finally, we found a zone offense that started clicking. Also, our rebounding has gotten back to where it should be. Great win today!"

NOTABLE 

• Ali Kamies led the Valor with 22 points in Saturday's win, her second consecutive game scoring over 20 points.

• Jazzy Kirby (18 pts.), Kamie Jenkins (13 pts.), and Carson Dillard (12 pts.), rounded out double digit scoring for Evangel.

• Kamie Jenkins pulled down a team high 17 rebounds.

• Ali Kamies finished with four assists.

UP NEXT 

Evangel hits the road on Wednesday (Feb. 5) evening, taking on the Saint Mary Spires at 5:30 p.m. in Leavenworth, Kan., looking to continue their winning streak.

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.