Boxscore

When you hold the opposition to one field goal in the last nine minutes, good things happen.  They certainly did Saturday night as coach Marty Simmons' Purple Aces picked up their second straight victory, 72-62 over defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Austin Peay.

"We got a lot of big plays from a lot of our players," Simmons said afterward.  "Offensively and defensively, we played well enough to beat a good, veteran team."

Added leading scorer Darin Granger, "Every win is big, but especially one against a team as good as Austin Peay."

Now 3-4, Evansville took its lead for good with 5:27 to play on Jason Holsinger's second three-pointer of the night to put the Aces up 57-54.  The lead was only two at 61-59 with 2:52 remaining when Granger drilled his fourth three-pointer of the night to increase the lead to 64-59.  Granger eventually ballooned the lead to 67-60 with 33 seconds remaining, and when Nate Garner hit two more free throws to make it 69-60 with 24 seconds to go, the 5,179 fans gave the Aces a standing ovation.  

After Wes Channels hit a layup for Austin Peay to put the Governors ahead 52-48 with 9:38 remaining, the Govs were held to eight free throws before Channels finally hit Austin Peay's next field goal.  That one didn't take place until 19 seconds remained, and Evansville had already wrapped up its third victory.  Austin Peay, 21-12 and an NIT particpant last season, is now 4-5.  All five starters are back this year.

Granger scored a career-high 17 points and Garner added a career-high 15.  In between were the 16 points of Shy Ely.  Jay Couisnard and Jason Holsinger added eight each for the Aces, who were averaging only 56 points coming into the game.  Channels led the Govs with 18 points and Drake Reed scored 14.  

Evansville goes after its third straight win Tuesday at Valparaiso in the Aces' final road game until January.