Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Following its 81-67 upset win over No. 4 Evangel on Saturday, Shawnee State (24-8, 12-4) will make its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2019.

The Bears, coming off their 74-72 win over fifth-seeded William Carey on Friday, jumped out to a 22-16 first-quarter lead against the Valor behind a nine-point period from Miyoshi Ellis.

Shawnee State extended its lead in the second quarter, outscoring Evangel 24-17 to take a 46-33 lead into halftime.

Ellis led all scorers at the break with 15 points, while Lilly-May Walker added 10 points and five rebounds.

Evangel responded with its most efficient quarter in the third, outscoring Shawnee State 21-9 to cut the Bears' lead to 55-54 entering the fourth quarter.

The Bears began the fourth on an 8-0 run to lead the Valor 63-54 with eight minutes remaining.

Evangel answered with a 7-2 run, but still trailed Shawnee State 65-61 with 4:10 to play.

Shawnee State closed the final four minutes on a 16-6 run to secure the 81-67 win and advance to the Sweet 16.

Lilly-May Walker led all scorers with new season highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds, recording her first double-double of the season.

Miyoshi Ellis scored 20 points, her eighth 20-point game of the season, while also dishing out nine assists and grabbing five rebounds.

Laken Williams finished with 11 points, while Kyla Torok recorded 10 points and seven rebounds.

Savannah Cantrell scored seven points, Emily Maynard added five and Jariah Steele finished with three points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Up Next

Shawnee State will now make its first Sweet 16 appearance since the 2018-19 season in a matchup with Marian (Ind.) on Friday, March 20, at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.