Boxscore

NORMAL, Ill. --  Playing shorthanded didn't beat the University of Evansville Purple Aces here Wednesday night, but Illinois State's free throw shooting did.

The Redbirds (13-4, 4-2) hit 20 of 23 free throws compared to 7 of 8 for the Aces (6-10, 0-6) and Illinois State eventually pulled away to win the Missouri Valley Conference contest, 70-56.  The Aces were playing without MVC rebounding leader James Haarsma because of an elbow infection, and freshman guard Ned Cox, who is recovering from an eye injury.

"I'm proud of those guys in the locker room," said Coach Marty Simmons.  "We're disappointed, we're frustrated, but our guys played hard.  Just a little offense in the second half would have changed the game.  For the most part, we did a good job against a very good team." 

Freshman Colt Ryan scored Evansville's first 10 points, and 17 in the first half, to keep the Purple Aces within two points at halftime, 33-31.  But the Aces never could take the lead in the second half, and when Lloyd Phillips hit a three-pointer and followed 30 seconds later with three free throws, the Redbirds led 53-46 with nine minutes to go.  Illinois State upped the lead to 10 with less than five minutes to go, then allowed Evansville only two points in the final four and a half minutes of the game.

Ryan finished with 22 and Denver Holmes scored 10 for the Aces.  Freshman Troy Taylor added eight assists and made only one turnover.  Phillips scored 18 and Austin Hill added 14 off the bench to pace the Redbirds.  Evansville hit 23 of 53 shots for 43 percent shooting.  Illinois State was 22 of 48 for 46 percent.

Evansville returns home Saturday to take on the Salukis of Southern Illinois at 7:05 at Roberts Stadium.