SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel University ended Raven Men's Basketball's Heart Tournament run on Friday night with a 78-74 loss in the tournament semifinals.

The Valor overcame a second-half deficit to beat the Ravens in a statistically-even match-up.

The first half was a game of runs by both teams. Evangel led by as much as six early only to watch as Benedictine battled back to pull ahead by as much as 8 halfway through the period. Evangel answered with their second run that gave them back as much as a 7-point lead before Benedictine outscored the Valor 12-4 over the final four minutes of the half to take a 46-43 lead into halftime.

Benedictine finished the first half shooting 60.7 percent from the floor with 9 3-pointers while Evangel shot 45 percent with 7 3-pointers.

A pair of 3-pointers from Matt Austin and Saxton Thuston pushed the Ravens halftime to as much as 10 points twice inside the seven minutes of the second half. Evangel used another run, this time a 10-0 run that not only allowed them to erase their deficit but take their first lead of the second half with five minutes remaining.

While the final free throw tally was almost even, the Valor took full advantage of their trips to the charity stripe in the final three minutes of the game. They converted seven of their 10 second-half free throws down the stretch to keep the Ravens at arm's length and advance to the Heart Championship game on Tuesday night.

Three Ravens finished in double figures scoring, led by Eric Krus with a game-high 20 points. Austin finished with 17 while Thuston finished with 10 points and 9 rebounds. 

The Ravens finished the game at 44.8 percent from the floor with 13 3-pointers while the Valor finished the game at 42.4 percent from the floor with 12 3-pointers. Both teams went to the free throw line 14 times with Benedictine converting 9 free throws and Evangel converting 10.

Evangel forced Benedictine into 14 turnovers which led to a 16-8 advantage in points off turnovers. Benedictine won the rebounding battle 41-33 and finished with a 26-20 advantage in points in the paint.

The Valor awaits the winner of the Heart's second semifinal between William Penn and Central Methodist. A win by William Penn sends Evangel to Oskaloosa, Iowa, for the championship game while a win by Central Methodist gives the Valor home court in the championship game. 

At 18-12, the Ravens will have to wait until March 3 to see if they have earned an at-large into the NAIA National Tournament.