The Basics

Score: #4 Evangel 67, #12 Shawnee State 81

Records: Evangel (28-3), Shawnee State (24-8)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (AGFinancial Arena)

Box Score 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel Women's Basketball faced off with 12th-seeded Shawnee State on Saturday (Mar. 14) evening, needing a win to keep their season alive and advance to the NAIA Round of 16. After battling back after being down by as much as 15 points, a tough fourth quarter from the floor proved to be the difference, as EU concluded their historic 2025-26 season in the NAIA Round of 32, the deepest postseason run since the 2004-05 season, 81-67.

Heaven Shockley opened Saturday's game with a pair of baskets to give EU a 4-2 lead, but EU would grow cold from the floor, as Shawnee State went on a 10-0 run to lead EU 12-4 at the 5:42 mark. Evangel was able to cut Shawnee's lead down to six on several occasions, including a jumper from Brooklyn Kearbey to close the first quarter, as EU trailed, 22-16.

Although Shawnee shot well in the first quarter, the Bears shot even better in the second. Ali Kamies nailed a three pointer to put Evangel within three points of the lead, 22-19, but again, the Bears were able to keep the Valor offense off-balance, taking a double digit lead over EU midway through the period. Dillard and Cassidy Hambelton helped the Valor add points to the scoreboard, but Shawnee would take their largest lead of the night in the quarter, 46-31. A Kamie Jenkins layup to close the half made it a 46-33 ballgame, as Shawnee shot nearly 56 percent from the floor in the quarter.

Evangel completely swung momentum in the third quarter, dominating the period by holding the Bears to just nine points in the period. Three pointers from Hambelton, Dillard, and Alyssa McCarty made it a 49-42 game, before a layup from Hambelton, followed by a jumper from Shockley, and three pointer from Kamies put EU within two points of the lead, 51-49, with 4:38 remaining in the quarter. Several baskets from Hambelton kept EU within a possession of Shawnee State and a basket at the end of the quarter from Lydia Babirye put EU within a point of the lead, 55-54, heading into the final quarter of play

A 8-0 Shawnee State run hurt Evangel's chances in the fourth quarter, as Shawnee State led 63-54 with 8:10 remaining in the period. A three pointer from Dillard, followed by a jumper from Shockley got Evangel back within four points of the lead, but Shawnee State took over late, getting the benefit of several foul calls, as the Bears shot 16 free throws alone in the fourth quarter. Fittingly, a three pointer from Dillard closed out scoring for Evangel, as the Valor were unable to overcome the deficit on the scoreboard, falling 81-67 to close out the 2025-26 season at home.

QUOTABLE

"I wish I had enough words to describe this season, but I do believe that it can be summed up in one – Historic. To say I'm proud would be an understatement. What a ride," stated head coach Madi Wallace. "I am extremely thankful for this senior class that has laid the foundation for the future of Evangel Women's Basketball. Their impact is immeasurable."

NOTABLE 

• Carson Dillard led the charge for EU, scoring 16 points in Saturday's loss.

• Cassidy Hambelton (14 pts.) and Heaven Shockley (12 pts., 11 reb.) rounded out double digit scoring for EU on Saturday.

• Shockley blocked a team high four shots in Saturday's contest.

• Below are final all-time and single season marks for individuals in the 2025-26 season.

  • Carson Dillard (17th in all-time scoring, 1,105 points at EU | 6th in all-time three point makes, 188 | 8th in three point makes in single season, 79)

  • Kamie Jenkins (10th in all-time rebounds, 726)

  • Cassidy Hambelton (t-4th in assists in single season, 171 | 8th in steals in single season, 87)

  • Heaven Shockley (6th in blocks in single season, 65 | 13th in all-time blocks, 65)

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.