SPRINGFIELD – Richard Chapman scored 24 points to help lead the Evangel men’s basketball team past Clarke, 83-81 Saturday afternoon in Heart conference action.
Evangel led nearly the whole game, but the final five minutes saw Clarke post a comeback and tie the game with 20 seconds left. Clarke made a pair of free throws as Evangel would have the ball and the final shot.
Junior guard Dylan Bekemeier drove down the right side of the lane and was fouled with three seconds left. The junior hit both free throws to put Evangel up 83-81 with three seconds left in the game.
On the ensuing inbounds, senior Nick Yocum would steal the pass at half court securing the win. Yocum added 14 points including knocking down four three-pointers while classmate Richard Chapman was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line to lead Evangel.
Bekemeier finished with 13 points and four assists in the win as his final two free throws helped seal the win just three days removed from a heartbreaking last-second loss at Baker.
Evangel finished 23-of-24 as a team from the free throw line and made eight three-pointers to aid in the win. All 11 players scored Saturday that saw action for Evangel who has won five of its last six games.
Clarke was led by Zack Fields who finished with a game-high 25 points and four assists.
Up Next
Evangel will continue a brief home stretch hosting Culver-Stockton on Monday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the Ashcroft Center.
