SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A big second quarter proved costly for Southwestern College on Wednesday night as the Lady Builders fell 95-55 to No. 17 Evangel in Conference play at AGFinancial Arena.
Southwestern dropped to 4-21 overall and 0-19 in conference play. Evangel improved to 21-2 overall and 18-1 in the KCAC.
The Lady Builders trailed just 15-12 after one quarter and stayed within striking distance early behind the shooting of Macey Pond, who scored eight first-quarter points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Kennedy Ford added a late layup to cut the deficit to three at the end of the period.
Evangel took control in the second quarter, outscoring Southwestern 36-12. The Valor used a combination of defensive pressure and perimeter shooting to build separation, forcing 10 turnovers in the period and turning them into transition points. A 3-pointer by Carson Dillard and consecutive baskets from Lydia Babirye pushed the lead past 20 midway through the quarter as Evangel carried a 51-24 advantage into halftime.
Pond led Southwestern with 18 points and nine rebounds, connecting on four 3-pointers. Breanna Goad added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Allyson Frank provided a spark off the bench with eight points on 4-of-4 shooting and six rebounds. Monroe Swope finished with four fourth-quarter points, and Emma Parker chipped in six points.
The Lady Builders showed improvement offensively in the second half, shooting 43.8% from the field in the fourth quarter and matching Evangel 17-19 over the final 10 minutes. Southwestern shot 37.7% from the floor for the game and went 10 of 16 from the free-throw line.
Evangel was paced by Dillard's 22 points, including six 3-pointers. Babirye added 17 points and eight rebounds, and Mae Mae Gilmore scored 10 of her 10 points in the fourth quarter. The Valor shot 42.2% from the field, hit 14 3-pointers and scored 38 points off 25 Southwestern turnovers.
Southwestern returns home Saturday for a 1 p.m. matchup against Kansas Wesleyan at Stewart Field House. The game will serve as Cancer Awareness Night.
