SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel University used 29 second-half field goals to overcome a 2-point halftime deficit against Women's Basketball.
The Valor earned a 70-61 win over the Ravens for the final time inside the Ashcroft Center as Evangel leaves for the KCAC after this academic year concludes.
Benedictine built as much as a 5-point lead in the first quarter as Jennifer Jacobs and Aaliyah Raines scored back-to-back baskets to pull Benedictine up 17-15.
While the Valor were able to erase their first-quarter deficit and pull even early in the second quarter, the Ravens held the lead for the majority of the quarter. Evangel took a brief 34-32 lead inside the final three minutes of the half before Raines, Kyra Misuraca, and Twillah Carasquillo closed out the half to keep Benedictine ahead 36-34.
After scoring 11 points in the second quarter, Kennedy Nicholson opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer to match the Ravens largest lead of the game at 5 points, 39-34. Evangel answered the 3-pointer with an 11-0 run to erase the Ravens lead and pull ahead 49-43.
Evangel finished the third quarter outscoring Benedictine by 6 points and then held the Ravens to just 4 points in the first 7 minutes of the fourth quarter which allowed the Valor to pull away for the win.
Raines, Alleigh Kramer, and Jacobs closed out the scoring for Benedictine as they held the Valor scoreless over the final 90 seconds of the game to close the final deficit down to 9 points.
Nicholson finished with a game-high 19 points as three Ravens reached double figures. Raines added 14 while Misuraca added 11. Benedictine also finished the game with a 40-30 advantage on the boards that helped lead to 13 second-chance points as they finished with 19 offensive rebounds – matching their season-high total.
Benedictine host Mount Mercy at Noon on Saturday for the return game against the Mustangs. Mount Mercy earned a Heart-opening win over Benedictine back on Nov. 26, 71065.
