Box Score
A six-point lead to start the second half slipped away from the University of Evansville women’s basketball team Saturday afternoon at Roberts Stadium, as they fell to the University of Tennessee-Martin, 63-60. The Aces fell to 5-4 on the season, while UTM improved to 5-5.
“UT-Martin is a good team and they played well today, but we made a lot of mistakes,” said Coach
Misty Murphy. “We tried to play too fast at times, which resulted in turnovers. We’re going to take this game, learn from it, and be ready for Green Bay.”
In a manic first half, the score was tied five times with seven lead changes. With 5:33 to go, Bamberger knocked down a three to give the Aces a 21-18 advantage and the lead for the remainder of the half. Another three by the lone senior with 22 seconds left put the Aces up seven points, but UTM’s Heather Butler hit a three at the buzzer to cut the score to 31-27 heading into the locker rooms.
The Skyhawks tied it up, 40-40, at the 14:26 mark, and took the lead for good with 12:21 remaining. UT-Martin held as much as a seven point lead during the remainder of the game, but the Aces always stayed within a reasonable deficit of overcoming.
A layup by Bamberger at 2:04 put Evansville within three, before the Aces were forced to intentionally foul in the dwindling seconds. Butler hit both for the Skyhawks, extending their advantage to five. With two seconds remaining, Falkenstein was sent to the line after attempting a put-back, but her two made free-throws were not enough as UTM threw the ball into the backcourt on the inbound, running out the clock.
Evansville shot 39.1% (18-for-46) from the field and 36.0% (9-for-25) from three.
The Aces are back in action next Saturday when they travel to take on Wisconsin-Green Bay on the road. They do not return home until Jan. 6th when they host Creighton at 7:00pm CST.
