The Basics
Score: Evangel 85, College of the Ozarks 61
Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)
Records: Evangel (3-0), College of the Ozarks (2-1)
Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Evangel Men's Basketball remained at home on Wednesday (Nov. 11) night, hosting longtime rival, College of the Ozarks, searching to extend their winning streak over the Bobcats. The Valor used a dominant effort in the first half, fueling their way to a 85-61 win at home.
Evangel and C of O went back and forth to open the first half of play on Wednesday, but after leading 8-6, the Valor went on a 20-2 run over an extended period, with baskets coming from five different Evangel athletes to lead 28-8. Akarius Staten-Ballance and Harrison Doennig led the Valor in the first half, using strong offensive play to push EU out to as large as a 41-14 lead, as Connor Hislop nailed a jumper. The Bobcats slowed Evangel's run late in the first half and drew within 16 points of tying the game, 41-25, before Doennig nailed a jumper and Staten-Ballance slammed the ball home to make it a 45-25 halftime lead for Evangel.
Clayton Garrison used a pair of baskets to open the second half of play, giving EU a 49-25 lead. The Valor and Bobcats went back and forth in the second half, as C of O was able to keep pace with Evangel's offense. Cole Griesemer played well in the second half to push EU to the finish, scoring a team high seven points alongside Staten-Ballance and Jordyn Turner, as the Valor never looked back, taking a 85-61 win on Wednesday.
QUOTABLE
"I thought we did a great job on both ends of the floor tonight," said head coach Bert Capel. "C of O can put some points up and our defense helped set the tone from the start."
NOTABLE
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Akarius Staten-Ballence led Evangel with 16 points off the bench.
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Harrison Doennig (13 pts.), Clayton Garrison (12 pts.), and Jordyn Turner (10 pts.) rounded out double digit scoring on Wednesday.
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Evangel outrebounded C of O, 37-31, in the win.
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The Valor shot 49.2 percent from the floor, forcing the Bobcats to shoot just 35.2 percent.
UP NEXT
Evangel MBB opens conference play, taking on the Saint Mary Spires in Leavenworth, Kan., at 4:00 p.m., on Saturday (Nov. 14) afternoon.
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—
