Box Score

The University of Evansville women’s basketball tea m used a balanced scoring attack and timely baskets to overcome Murray State, 60-54, Wednesday night at Roberts Stadium. The Aces improved to 2-0 on the season, the best start for UE since 2004, while the Racers (2-1) were handed their first loss of the year.

It was a back-and-forth battle through the first ten minutes of action, but the Aces steadily extended their lead heading into halftime, going into the locker rooms ahead, 27-19.

A jumper by junior Chelsea Falkenstein with 18:18 remaining in the second period gave the Aces a 13 point advantage, their largest of the evening.

However, the Racers used a 6-0 run to get within five with 8:35 left, and inched to just a three point deficit with 5:38 to go. But, tri-captain Falkenstein stepped up with a layup, block, and free throw to give the Aces a six-point cushion.

A jumper by Murray State’s Mariah Robinson and Mallory Schwab’s made foul shot allowed the Racers to hang around with 3:01 on the clock and the score at 55-52

In the final minutes, the Aces sealed the win on Falkenstein’s layup, and Briyana Blair’s 3-for-4 performance from the charity stripe.

“Briyana was our spark tonight,” said head coach Misty Murphy. “She scored baskets when we needed her to and really stepped it up.”

Blair finished with a career-high 12 points. Falkenstein led the Aces in points for the second straight game, scoring 16, while grabbing six rebounds and tallying a career-high four blocks. Sophomore Samantha Heck was just a point shy of her first double-double, scoring nine and recording 10 boards.

It was a cold night for both squads, with the Aces shooting 19-for-56 (33.9%) from the field, and just 3-for-17 from three-point range. However, they still outshot their opponent, who went 18-for-63 (28.6%) from the field and 2-for-17 (11.8%) from behind the arc.

“We didn’t shoot great and our defense in the gaps needs work,” said Murphy. “But it’s still great to get the win.”

The Aces travel to Ball State Saturday for another non-conference contest. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. CST.