The Basics
Score: Evangel 68, (RV) Columbia 62
Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)
Records: Evangel (1-0), Columbia (1-1)
Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Evangel Men's Basketball opened their 2026-27 campaign on Tuesday (Oct. 27) night, taking on the Columbia College Cougars, who were receiving votes in the first NAIA Top 25 poll of the season. The Valor used balanced scoring in both halves to take a 68-62 win over the Cougars to earn their first win of the season.
Evangel and Columbia both couldn't break through on the scoreboard on their first few possessions on Tuesday, but at the 17:19 mark, Columbia scored the first basket of the game. Akarius Staten-Ballance responded with a three pointer, followed by dunks from Harrison Doennig and Clayton Garrison, giving EU a 7-3 lead. Doennig kept EU in the lead with a pair of baskets, while Luke Foster scored a crucial and-one to swing momentum back into Evangel's favor. Cade Sutton and Staten-Ballance both nailed three pointers to close the half, as EU led, 33-25.
The Valor defense helped slow the Cougars offense to open the second half, as Staten-Ballance, Doennig, and Garrison all fueled EU to a half opening 13-3 run with 14:09 remaining in the game. A quick 9-0 run from Columbia helped the Cougars remain in the contest, but a three pointer from Cole Griesemer stimied the run, as EU led 52-37. Columbia did not back down against the Valor late in the second half, as a barrage of three point shots had the Cougars within a point of the lead, 57-56, with 4:08 remaining in the game. Doennig got hot late from the floor, scoring a big and-one to give EU a five point lead that Clayton Garrison put the exclamation point on as Staten-Ballance hit the redshirt freshman with a lob to help give EU a 68-62 win on Tuesday.
QUOTABLE
"I thought we were a little nervous to start the game and didn't settle in until later in the half. We came out much better in the second half on both ends of the floor, we just had too many errors down the stretch to let Columbia back in the game," said head coach Bert Capel. "Despite the mistakes, I was proud of the guys for how they finished. We have some things we need to clean up, but we'll get there."
NOTABLE
UP NEXT
Evangel MBB remains at home next Monday (Nov. 2) evening, taking on the Faith Baptist Eagles at 5:30 p.m. in AGFinancial Arena.
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.
—#OneValor—
