Valor Offense Too Much for Warriors

Springfield, Mo. – In their first big trip to Springfield, Mo., the Lady Warriors fell to the Evangel Valor 85-70. Four Warriors scored in double figures, but it was not enough as Evangel's offense scored at a consistent pace throughout the game.

Sterling did a good job keeping themselves in the game, but the difference was just a few points per quarter that was the difference in this contest. Sterling was down 1 after ten minutes and down just 8 at halftime. First half offense was found by Kali Briar, 12 at the intermission, and an unusual contributor in Evie Gill who had 9 first half points. Sterling trailed 45-37.

Sterling kept pace in the third quarter, but could not go on a run to cut into the Evangel lead in the second half.

Briar led the way for Sterling with 20 points and 5 steals. Bailey Young was just behind with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Gill had a nearly flawless day offensively with 13 points on 5-5 shooting and grabbed 6 rebounds, and rounding out double digit scoring was Korynn Clason with 11.

With the loss, Sterling will now need some help to get into the KCAC postseason tournament. The top 8 teams make the tournament in the KCAC, keeping their hoped alive for an NAIA tournament birth. Sterling is now 11-15 (8-12) and has two winnable games over the next week. Wednesday, Sterling hosts Oklahoma Wesleyan University for the final home game of the season, and next Saturday they travel to Bethel College for what could be the last game of the 2023-24 season.

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