The Basics
Final: Evangel 56, Benedictine 73 | Final Stats
Records: Evangel (11-11, 7-5); Benedictine (16-6, 8-4)
Site: Ralph Nolan Gymnasium
ATCHISON, Kan. – A slow first quarter highlighted a night of cold shooting for the Valor as they fell to the leaders of the Heart South, Benedictine, 73-56.
The Valor could not find an offensive groove in the first quarter. Abby Wildermuth hit a three to start the game, but this was the only field goal the Valor made in the quarter. The rest of Evangel's points in the first quarter came from five free throws. Evangel's eight points in the first quarter is the second lowest point total scored in a quarter this season. Benedictine led 18-8 at the end of the quarter with Wildermuth's three pointer leading scoring for the Valor.
Evangel warmed up in the second period, matching Benedictine by also scoring 20 in the quarter. The Valor trailed by 14 points until EU went on a 6-2 run. Sarah Lwambo scored a putback and Lexi Berry hit the final shot for EU to trail 38-28 at the half. Lwambo led the Valor in scoring with nine points at halftime.
The Valor's third quarter with Benedictine was back and forth, as both teams traded baskets. The slow start played a pivotal role in the game as EU could never get back to make it competitive. Zoey Mullings and Alexis Roach fueled a 5-0 run for EU to only trail by 9 points, but that was the closest the Valor could cut the deficit to in the remainder of the game.
In the final quarter, Evangel narrowed the gap to nine on three separate occasions, thanks to baskets by Berry, Alexis Cauthon, and Kohnnar Patton. Each time the Raven lead was dwindled, Benedictine had an answer. The Ravens ended the game on a 6-2 run with Roach finishing the scoring for the Valor with a layup.
The Ravens finished with three different double digit scorers. The Valor were led by Roach who finished with 12 points, and Mullings rounded out double digit scoring with 10. Lwambo pulled down a team high nine rebounds. The Valor finished the ballgame with seven assists, their lowest of the season in a game.
UP NEXT
Evangel will return home to face off against William Penn for their final game of the month of January. Tip-off is set for noon on Saturday (Jan. 29) in the Ashcroft Center.
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—
