Basketball Game Preview: Evangel Christian Lightning vs. Rocket City Falcons

The Evangel Christian Lightning and the Rocket City Falcons will compete for holiday cheer at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Evangel Christian is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last three games.

Evangel Christian will bounce into Tuesday's game after beating Tuscaloosa Home Educators, who they had gone 2-7 against in their nine prior meetings. Evangel Christian secured a 47-42 W over Tuscaloosa Home Educators on Tuesday.

Evangel Christian can attribute much of their success to Makayla Cranford, who dropped a double-double on 13 points and ten boards, and Rachel Cassimiro, who went 6 of 15 on her way to 16 points and eight rebounds. Those 16 points gave Cassimiro a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Lilli Whitfield, who posted eight points along with six rebounds and three blocks.

Evangel Christian smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 17 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 13 offensive rebounds in five consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Rocket City, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. They walked away with a 35-25 win over Bradley Knights on Saturday.

Rocket City's victory bumped their record up to 4-8. As for Evangel Christian, their win bumped their record up to 5-1.

Evangel Christian came up short against Rocket City in their previous meeting back in February, falling 46-42. Thankfully for Evangel Christian, Elizabeth ( Bess ) Shea (who dropped a double-double on 20 points and 17 rebounds) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.