SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Interstat) — In a game defined by its frantic final minute, the Evangel Valor edged the Bethel Threshers 74-69 in a men’s NAIA basketball contest Saturday at the Ashcroft Center.

The most critical sequence unfolded in the last 10 seconds with the outcome hanging in the balance. After Bethel’s Carmelo Yakubu made one of two free throws to cut Evangel’s lead to 72-69 with five seconds remaining, Evangel’s Ty Campbell was fouled. Campbell, who had missed a key free throw earlier in the quarter, calmly sank both attempts to push the Valor lead to 74-69 with two seconds left, effectively sealing the victory. Yakubu’s desperation three-pointer at the buzzer missed, allowing Evangel to secure the narrow win.

The contest was a back-and-forth affair throughout, featuring 14 lead changes and neither team building a double-digit advantage. Bethel held a 31-33 edge after a high-scoring first quarter, but Evangel used a 41-38 second-quarter performance to secure the five-point halftime and final margin.

Garrett Davault led all scorers and was the catalyst for Evangel, finishing with 25 points. His performance included a crucial and-one layup and free throw with 1:34 remaining that extended Evangel’s lead to 66-64, and he went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final 18 seconds under pressure. Jacob Lafferty provided vital support for the Valor with 20 points and five rebounds.

Bethel was led by Carmelo Yakubu’s 21 points, four assists and three rebounds. Albert Diarra added 15 points off the bench for the Threshers, while Trenton Patterson contributed 10 points.

The game was a defensive struggle at times, with both teams combining for 30 turnovers. Free throw accuracy proved decisive down the stretch, with Evangel converting its opportunities late while Bethel missed a key chance to tie or take the lead in the final minute.

With the victory, Evangel improved its season record to 6-3. The Valor, who were projected by Interstat’s ELO system to have only a 36.10 percent chance to win, have now won two consecutive close games, following a 63-62 win at Saint Mary on Wednesday. Bethel, which entered as the statistical favorite, fell to 7-2 and suffered its second straight loss by a single possession after a 70-69 defeat at Friends on Dec. 3.

Evangel next plays at Ottawa on Wednesday. Bethel returns home to host Sterling on Wednesday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in North Newton, Kansas, on Jan. 31.