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University of Evansville seniors Ashley Austin, Kate Batey, Robyn Jennings, Ayako Nakane, and Shannon Novosel will make their final home appearance as Purple Aces on Saturday night, as UE will host league-leading Illinois State at Roberts Stadium in the second part of a UE basketball doubleheader on “Senior Night.” The UE men will battle Mid-American Conference title contender Miami of Ohio at 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU, before the UE women will battle Illinois State at 5:00 p.m. Tickets to Saturday’s men’s game will include free admission to the women’s contest.
The five UE seniors have helped Evansville to 66 victories over the last four years, including posting a 40-14 overall record at home. They were all key parts to UE’s first Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title share last season, and helped the Purple Aces advance to the second round of the 2008 Postseason WNIT. Overall, they have combined for over 2,789 points, 1,579 rebounds, and 420 steals over the last four years at UE.
The senior class combined for 51 of UE’s 65 points on Thursday night to help power the Purple Aces past Indiana State, 65-58, to snap a four-game losing streak. Austin led the way with a career-high 31 points, as she fell just four points shy of the UE single-game scoring record, while Novosel added her second double-double in as many home games with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Austin currently leads the Purple Aces in scoring at 12.5 points per game, while both Novosel and Jennings join her in double-figures with averages of 10.6 and 10.5 points per game.
UE will bring a 10-15 overall record and 3-11 Valley mark into Saturday’s game against an Illinois State squad which has won 19 out of its last 20 contests. The Redbirds currently stand at 21-4 overall and a league-best 12-1 in MVC play after posting a 71-68 victory at Southern Illinois on Thursday afternoon. Junior center Nicolle Lewis had 25 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks to help power the Redbird attack, while two-time MVC Player of the Year Kristi Cirone added 20 points. Cirone leads the ISU attack and the MVC with an average of 18.7 points per game this year, while moving into fifth place on the Valley’s career scoring chart with 1,949 career points.
“Tomorrow’s game is going to be a very emotional game,” said UE head coach Misty Murphy. “Senior days always are, but especially with these five seniors who have given so much to the program over the last four years. We have to use that emotion to our advantage and play with a lot of passion and energy to try and send these seniors out on top.”
Illinois State leads the all-time series over UE, 18-11. Cirone paced a pack of three Redbird guards in double-figures with 18 points on January 22, as Illinois State posted a 75-62 victory over UE at Redbird Arena in Normal, Illinois.
Saturday’s game can be heard live in the Tri-State area on 91.5 F.M.-WUEV, and live game video of the contest can be seen on-line on AcesTV at www.gopurpleaces.com
