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EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Evansville women’s basketball team jumped out to an early 28-6 lead Saturday night and never looked back, as the Purple Aces defeated the visiting Oakland City University Lady Oaks, 86-47, in UE’s only exhibition game of the year at Roberts Stadium in Evansville.
Senior guard Courtney Felke scored 10 of her game-high 20 points in the game’s opening 10 minutes to help fuel Evansville’s early 28-6 run. Felke teamed with fellow senior guard Rebekah Parker to score 27 of UE’s 46 first-half points, as the Purple Aces went into the locker room with a 46-29 lead.
In the second half, junior guard Ashley Austin and junior forward Shannon Novosel shouldered the scoring load for the Purple Aces, as they each chipped in 10 points after halftime. Novosel also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds en route to recording a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Evansville used a 13-0 run five minutes into the second half, spurred by four points each by Austin and Novosel, to blow open the game and grab a 29-point lead, 65-36, with 11:40 to play. Oakland City would get no closer than 26 points the rest of the way, as Evansville would cruise to the 39-point victory behind an attack in which 12 different players reached the scoring column.
Felke led all scorers for UE with 20 points, while also recording a game-high five steals. Parker chipped in 14 points and five assists, while Austin added 12 points and Novosel 10 points, 10 boards, and three blocks. Reserve guard Samantha Stahl led Oakland City with 12 points in 19 minutes of action.
Evansville will open the 2007-08 season for real next Friday, as the Purple Aces will welcome the Marshall University Thundering Herd to Roberts Stadium for the first round of the 2007 Preseason WNIT. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. and tickets are currently on sale at the UE ticket office. UE’s match-up with Marshall will mark the first time in which Evansville has hosted a Preseason WNIT game or a national tournament for women’s basketball at Roberts Stadium.
