Boxscore

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The best first half of the season was plenty for the University of Evansville Purple Aces Saturday night at Roberts Stadium.  They rolled to a 41-26 halftime lead and never let the Ball State Cardinals get closer than 10 points in the second half on their way to a 73-63 victory.

The Aces are 5-1, and off to their best start since 2004.  They host Eastern Illinois Wednesday at 7:05.  Ball State is 4-3.

Senior Jason Holsinger started Evansville's hot first half with 11 of the team's first 17 points as the Aces jumped out to a 17-10 lead.  By the end of the first half, UE built its fifth 15-point lead and hit 15 of 27 shots by intermission.  It was the first time this season that Evansville shot better than 50 percent in a half.

"When Jason hits shots, it gives everybody confidence," said Coach Marty Simmons.  "Our offense is getting better.  In the second half we didn't finish a lot of shots, but we were still getting good looks."

UE's second half lead climbed to 19 in the first two minutes on baskets by Shy Ely and Pieter van Tongeren.  The Cardinals chipped away in the late stages, but never could cut Evansville's lead to single digits.

Holsinger scored a season-high 18, and forwards Nate Garner and Ely added 12 each.  Evansville shot a season-high 50 percent, hitting 24 of 48 shots.  The Aces have attempted more free throws than the opposition in each of their five wins, and on Saturday they hit 22 of 29 while Ball State hit 12 of 20.  Anthony Newell led the Cardinals with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

"We can still get better," Garner said.  "We'll look at the tape and see some things that need improvement.  When we end up playing our best, it will be something people will really enjoy watching."