The Basics
Final: Evangel 61, No. 14 Clarke 93 | Final Stats
Records: Evangel (14-16); No. 14 Clarke (27-4)
Site: Kehl Center
DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Evangel Valor hit the road to compete in the Heart Conference Quarterfinals against the number one seeded Clarke Pride. Clarke came out hot to start the game and never slowed on offense, running away with the game, 93-61, to end the Valor season.
Evangel began the game grabbing a lead out of the gate after Alexis Roach and Alexis Cauthon both nailed two free throws a piece. Trailing 4-1, Clarke took off offensively and never looked back. The EU lead to begin the game was the only lead Evangel held in the entire game as the Pride offense caught fire. Over the next eight minutes of the quarter, Clarke went on a 25-7 run, as Evangel could not answer many of the Pride baskets, ending the period leading 26-11.
In the second quarter, Clarke continued to expand their lead thanks to a high shooting percentage and cold shooting from the Valor. Kohnnar Patton began the quarter, scoring a quick four points for EU, but Clarke countered with a run of their own, not allowing Evangel an opportunity to cut the Pride lead. By the halftime break, the Valor trailed Clarke, 50-25, their lowest halftime score this season. Roach and Patton both lead Evangel with four points apiece at the half.
Clarke continued to extend their lead even more in the third quarter. Cauthon kicked off scoring in the second half with two consecutive baskets for Evangel and Jazzy Kirby hit a jumper for Evangel to trail by just 21 points. The Pride again answered the small Valor run by going on a 12-5 run of their own to again grow their advantage. Evangel's Logan Jones and Sophie Sparks made baskets of their own to end the quarter with Clarke on top, 71-40.
The fourth quarter ended up being Evangel's most competitive quarter, only losing by one point. Roach scored the first basket of the quarter for both teams and Clarke began their dominant offense in response. Clarke led by 38 points with 4:07 remaining in the game, but Evangel ended the game on a 12-6 run, thanks to threes by Abby Wildermuth and Zoey Mullings, as well as baskets by Lexi Berry, Patton, and Kirby. Ultimately, Evangel fell to nationally ranked Clarke, 93-61.
The Valor were led by Patton who finished the evening with a game high nine points. Mullings led EU with six rebounds and passed off a game high three assists for Evangel.
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 (https://eu-gameday.app.link/launch).
—#OneValor—
