Just when it appeared Kansas Wesleyan's path to a victory might encounter a last minute detour, LaMyah Ricks (SO/Shawnee Mission, Kan.) and Kelcey Hinz (SR/Whitewater, Kan.) stepped in and put the Coyotes back on track.
Leading Evangel 62-52 lead with just over 5 minutes left in the game the Valor staged a last-ditch rally and got within 65-60 with 2:57 remaining.
Ricks, KWU's heady young point guard, and Hinz, the team's veteran center, promptly responded by combining the next 13 points and the Coyotes pulled away for a 78-62 victory in the Coyote Classic on Saturday night inside Mabee Arena.
Wesleyan improved to 3-0 on the season, all three victories at home.
Ricks, who's in her first season as a starter, ignited the run with a 3-point basket – her second of the fourth quarter. Hinz followed with a 3-point play and Ricks did the same for a 74-60 lead. Hinz scored twice underneath in the final 47 seconds to cap the decisive surge.
"We took care of the ball," KWU coach Ryan Showman said of the fast finish. "They did a really good job of getting us sped up and forcing some turnovers. I thought in that last three- or four-minute stretch we did a phenomenal job of taking our time while being aggressive. We took what the defense gave us and finished plays."
Ricks, who saw significant duty last season as a freshman, said the difference this year is her offense.
"Just being more of a scoring threat," she said. "I used to pass up an open shot but now I'm actually looking for my shot while supporting my teammates."
Ricks scored all nine of her second half points in the fourth quarter and finished with 14 to go along with three assists and a steal.
"She just looks more comfortable, the game has slowed way, way down for her," Showman said. "I always tease her, she played starters minutes last year but now she's in the starting lineup and we're getting just that next level and I'm really happy for her."
"I'm more comfortable now because I was playing a lot of the time with the people that I'm on the court with," Ricks said. "Just having them around me has been a lot of help."
Ricks said she's getting more comfortable shooting from beyond the new and deeper 3-point line.
"It's been a lot to adjust to," she said. "Last year I was adjusting to a new college line from the high school line and now it's even further back. It's something you to adjust to and really practice."
Hinz, who had scored 18 and 28 in KWU's first two games, was held to four points until the final burst when she scored seven the final 2 minutes and finished with 11. She also had nine rebounds and four blocks.
Gabby Mureeba (JR/Allen, Texas) continued her strong play with 16 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Amanda Hill (SR/Rossville, Kan.) had 11 points and four rebounds and Kaleigh Hanzlick (SR/Hoisington, Kan.) nine points and six rebounds.
"That's that balance I think we lacked last year," Showman said. "We have people stepping up and we're not so reliant on Kelcey and Amanda. They're still getting their shots and points and we have other people around them who are producing. That makes us tough to guard."
KWU had 17 assists as a team and made Showman a happy guy.
"We did a good job of really sharing the ball – 17 assists on 31 field goals is really great," he said.
Wesleyan shot 56.4 percent (31 of 55) but had 21 turnovers. Evangel shot 33.8 percent and committed 18 turnovers. Alexis Cauthon led the Valor (1-3) with 19 points.
The Coyotes play their first road game of the season next Thursday when they travel to McPherson to play Central Christian at 6 p.m. They follow that game with a trip to Fayette, Mo., next Saturday to play Central Methodist.