Evangel University of the Assemblies of God

The Basics

Score: (RV) Evangel 74, (RV) Columbia 66

Records: Evangel (1-0), Columbia (1-1)

Location: Columbia, Mo. (Arena of Southwell Complex)

Box Score 

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Evangel Women's Basketball opened the 2026-27 season on Wednesday (Oct. 28) evening, taking on the (RV) Columbia College Cougars on the road. The Valor would out score Columbia in the first two quarters of play, proving to be enough to get the job done in a 74-68 win.

Kamie Jenkins and Brooklyn Kearbey both scored baskets to put Evangel ahead, 6-0, before Columbia scored their first basket. Kearbey led Evangel in the quarter, scoring 10 points to keep the Valor ahead on the scoreboard. A late three pointer from the Cougars gave EU just a one point lead, before Riley Gottsponer nailed a jumper to give EU a 19-16 lead at the end of the quarter.

Lydia Babirye provided a spark for Evangel in the second quarter, helping the Valor go on a 18-5 run to lead 37-21 with 4:10 remaining. The Cougars went on a late run to close the half, as Evangel led 42-31 at the halftime break.

Columbia came out fighting to open the second half, as the Cougars dwindled Evangel's lead to just four points, 44-40, with 6:12 remaining in the third quarter. A jumper and three point from Babirye slowed the Cougars run, before Jenkins used baskets to continue to grow the EU advantage. Leading by five points with 1:32 remaining, the Valor closed the quarter with a Chloe Jones three pointer to lead 57-49.

Columbia battled and was able to draw within a point of the Valor lead, 57-56, but Jenkins took over offensively, scoring a pair of baskets to give EU a 61-56 lead. Leading by three points, baskets from Evin Montgomery and Babirye extended the Evangel lead to seven points before Alyssa Walker closed the game out with a pair of baskets, as EU defeated Columbia, 74-66.

QUOTABLE

"I'm proud of our team and their commitment to the game plan," stated head coach Madi Wallace. "We are excited to start off this season on a high note and will be back to work tomorrow to prepare for a tough schedule next week."

NOTABLE 

• Lydia Babirye led the charge for EU, scoring 18 points in Wednesday's win.

• Kamie Jenkins (13 pts.) and Brooklyn Kearbey (11 pts.) rounded out double digit scoring on Wednesday.

• Jenkins pulled down a team high 18 rebounds in the win.

• Marlie Wright passed off four assists while Babirye came away with five steals.

UP NEXT

The Evangel Women's Basketball team takes on longtime rival, College of the Ozarks, at 6:00 p.m., on Tuesday (Nov. 3) evening in Springfield.

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—