The Basics

Score: #22 Evangel 72, Avila 71

Records: Evangel (14-1, 11-0), Avila (7-9, 4-7)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Returning home after a brief two-game road trip, Evangel Women's Basketball played host to the Avila Eagles, looking to earn their 13th straight win of the season. The Valor shot just 36.8 percent, but were able to overcome an early deficit, taking a narrow 72-71 win at home over the Eagles, their 11th in conference play and 14th overall.

Evangel struggled in the first quarter, as the Eagles were able to score 26 points, speeding through the Valor's full court pressure. The game began with both teams trading baskets, leading to a 13-13 score, before Avila closed the period on a 13-5 run, forcing EU to trail 26-18 at the end of the first period.

The Valor came out quickly in the second quarter, using baskets from Kamie Jenkins, Lydia Babirye, and Carson Dillard to take a 26-25 lead in just 35 seconds of play. Evangel was able to take a four point lead midway through the period, but a 9-0 Avila run allowed the Eagles to take a 36-31 run. Ellison Mehrhoff helped generate a 7-0 Evangel run to take a 38-36 lead, but again Avila hit a pair of shots to take a 41-38 advantage into the halftime break.

Ali Kamies nailed a mid-range jumper, followed by a Dillard three pointer to give Evangel back the lead, 43-41. The Eagles tied the game up on their following possession, but Jenkins would find a streaking Alyssa McCarty to re-give EU the lead, 45-43. A pair of Evangel turnovers at the 3:30 mark allowed the Eagles to take a 51-49 advantage, as both teams continued to trade the lead on Wednesday night. Both teams went on scoring droughts to close the period, but Avila nailed a three pointer at the buzzer, giving the Eagles a 54-53 advantage, heading into the final period of play.

Trailing 58-57, the Valor began to work their way back into the game, as Shockley scored a pair of baskets, followed by buckets from Cassidy Hambelton and Dillard to lead 66-58. Avila spent the following three minutes cutting Evangel's lead, using a layup to draw within a point, 68-67, with 3:15 remaining. Shockley helped calm the Avila run, scoring four consecutive points to extend EU's lead out to five points, 72-67. 

QUOTABLE

"Today exposed a lot of things we need to work on," stated head coach Madi Wallace. "We are grateful for the win and will be back to work tomorrow to get ready for the road trip to Kansas Wesleyan."

NOTABLE 

• Carson Dillard led EU in scoring with 15 points.

• Heaven Shockley (14 pts.) and Cassidy Hambelton (10 pts.) rounded out double digit scoring for EU.

• Mae Mae Gilmore led Evangel with six rebounds.

• Hambelton passed off a team high five assists in the win.

UP NEXT

Evangel WBB hits the road on Saturday (Jan. 17) afternoon, taking on the defending KCAC champions, Kansas Wesleyan, at 1:00 p.m. in Salina, 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.