Boxscore

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- What a difference a couple weeks make.  Evansville whipped Missouri State 84-65 back in late January, but the Bears made up for that loss by knocking off the Aces on MSU's home court Saturday night, beating Evansville 76-38.

Missouri State scored the first six points of the game Saturday night, extended its lead to 18 points at 34-16, and took a 36-21 lead to halftime.  Evansville cut the lead to 13 early in the second half, but never contended for the game after Missouri State reeled off 12 straight points to go ahead 50-25.  

The Bears improved to 13-14 overall and 6-9 in the Missouri Valley Conference.  Evansville is 8-17, and 3-12 in the league.  It was the second straight game that UE starting guard Jason Holsinger missed with his fractured right hand, but the first one that UE lost since Holsinger was sidelined.  The Aces beat third place Creighton last Wednesday.

Shy Ely was the only Purple Ace in double figures with 14 of Evansville's 38 points. Four got into double figures for the Bears, led by the 14 of Deven Mitchell.  Missouri State held the Aces to 28 percent shooting (13-for-47).

The Aces are back home this coming Wednesday to play Illinois State at 7:05 at Roberts Stadium.  After Wednesday, only one home game remains.  That's Senior Night on Saturday, March 1 at 7:05 against the Panthers of Northern Iowa.  The Aces' lone senior is Victor Gomez.