Valor put up huge second half to defeat Mustangs

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Mount Mercy built a 10-point halftime lead but saw it disappear after the break as Evangel recorded a come-from-behind, 69-58 victory over the Mustangs in Saturday's Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup.

Mount Mercy (13-8, 6-5 Heart) struggled offensively in both road losses last week, failing to reach the 60-point mark at Peru State on Thursday and then Evangel (14-6, 7-4 Heart) on Saturday. The Mustangs were just 2-of-13 from three-point range against the Valor and were outscored at the free throw line, 18-8.

Starters accounted for 54 of Mount Mercy's 58 points. RoyShawn Webb had 18 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Bailey Basala posted 16 points and nine boards, Chris Giles scored 10 points and pulled down eight rebounds.

Evangel's Josh Pritchett poured in a game-high 21 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Manrique Alvarado chipped in 10 points, Cade Coffman eight points and 11 boards.

Mount Mercy hosts Clarke (10-10, 5-6 Heart) on Wednesday at 7:30 pm and travels to Missouri Valley (11-9, 3-7 Heart) to take on the Vikings on Saturday at 2:00 pm in Marshall, Mo.