The Basics

Score: #15 Evangel 95, Southwestern 55

Records: Evangel (21-2, 18-1), Southwestern (4-21, 0-19)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel WBB hosted the Southwestern College Moundbuilders on Wednesday (Feb. 11) evening, looking to earn their 21st win of the season. The Valor exploded for 36 points in the second quarter, helping push themselves to a 95-55 win over Southwestern, their 18th in conference play.

Evangel and Southwestern played a tightly contested first half, but it didn't appear it would be, as the Valor jumped out to a 10-0 lead with three pointers coming from Carson Dillard and Ali Kamies, as well as layups from Heaven Shockley and Dillard. A Cassidy Hambelton three pointer and jumper from Brooklyn Kearbey gave EU a 15-4 lead with 3:52 remaining, but Southwestern used a 8-0 run to close the half, trailing the Valor, 15-12.

The Valor dominated the second quarter, as Lydia Babirye provided a spark off the bench, scoring 10 points to lead all scorers in the quarter alone. EU used a 36-8 run in the period, also using seven points from Dillard to take a 51-24 lead at the halftime break against Southwestern.

Evangel continued their strong play into the third quarter, outscoring Southwestern by 11 points in the period. The Valor used their three point shooting to distance themselves on the scoreboard, as the first five made baskets of the third quarter were from long range. An Emma Mullings jumper to close out the period gave the Valor a 76-38 lead, heading into the final quarter of play.

Mae Mae Gilmore helped lead Evangel in the final quarter of play, scoring 10 points in the period alone, as the Valor again outscored Southwestern, 19-17, ultimately leading to a 95-55 win on Wednesday night.

QUOTABLE

"I thought Lydia Babirye really stepped up tonight as an energizer and defensive force for our team," stated head coach Madi Wallace. "We will get back to work tomorrow to prepare for a tough Bethany team on Saturday."

NOTABLE 

• Carson Dillard scored 22 points to lead EU on Wednesday.

• Lydia Babirye (17 pts.) and Mae Mae Gilmore (10 pts.) both rounded out double digit scoring on Wednesday.

• Babirye pulled down a team high eight rebounds in the win.

UP NEXT

Evangel WBB competes in their final home game of the regular season on Saturday (Feb. 14) afternoon at noon, taking on the Bethany College Swedes for senior day.

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.