(RV) Wildcats Snap Six-Game Winning Streak With 81-72 Loss to #20 Evangel

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Snapping a six-game winning streak, the (RV) Baker men's basketball team dropped a tough one at home on Wednesday evening to No. 20 Evangel, 81-72.

Baker had five players score in double figures on the night, but leading the way was Noah Rigatuso who was 5-for-7 from the field to post a team-high 15 points. Jalen Patterson followed closely with 14 points, while Quentin Harvey and Braden Wiggs scored 11 points each and Korey Jones added 10 points.

Along with his 10 points, Jones was just two rebounds short of a double-double, leading Baker with eight boards, while Quentin Harvey had four blocks and Justin Batts II tacked on four assists.

Baker's Korey Jones hit a three to open up the scoring, but Baker then went cold, not hitting a field goal for the next eight minutes. During that span, Evangel stretched their lead to as much as 10 points and with 9:55 left in the first half, Baker trailed the Valor, 17-11.

Over the next five minutes, Baker held Evangel scoreless as they came back and cut the lead to just one with 5:28 to play in the half. With 3:41 left in the half, the Wildcats were able to regain their lead. Baker's Braden Griffiths drilled a huge three late in the first half to give Baker a 33-30 lead and after two free throws by Evangel, Baker took a 33-32 lead into halftime.

Over the first seven minutes of the second half, Evangel began to pull away, holding a 50-41 lead with 13:28 to play. After the Valor stretched their lead to double digits, the Wildcats worked their way back into the game, cutting the lead to just six on a layup from Patterson with just over two minutes left in the game.

With 27 seconds left, Baker was able to score to cut the lead to 75-71, but would just get one more free throw for the rest of the game as Evangel went on to win the game, 81-72.

Baker moves to 9-2 on the year and 4-1 in Heart of America play. They will be back at home on Saturday, Dec. 17, when they host Culver-Stockton at 2 p.m., inside the Collins Center.

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