Game Notes
Video Streaming-AcesTV
The University of Evansville women’s basketball team will welcome Valparaiso, Coastal Carolina, and Central Michigan to Roberts Stadium this Friday and Saturday when the Aces host the inaugural Heritage Federal Credit Union Aces Classic Presented by Dunn Hospitality. The tournament kicks off Friday at 5:00pm CST when Coastal Carolina and Central Michigan face off. Evansville and Valparaiso play afterward at 7:30pm in the opening round.
The Aces (3-2) come off a third-place finish at the University of Colorado’s Omni Hotels Classic. Evansville battled back from a 19-point deficit to take the lead from Colorado late in the second half, but the Buffs edged UE, 55-53. In the consolation game, the Aces rallied from being down 16 in the first half to beat Eastern Washington, 77-67. Sophomore Samantha Heck was named to the all-tournament team and currently leads the Aces in points (12.0 ppg), rebounds (6.8 rpg), and assists (3.40). Meagan Collins also had a solid tournament, scoring a career-high 23 points in the win.
Evansville will look to take the lead in the all-time series with Valparaiso, which stands at 5-5. These two teams have not played each other since December 12, 1998 when UE came away with a, 71-51, victory.
The Crusaders (1-4) enter the weekend on a three-game losing streak, falling most recently to Cincinnati, 65-51. Valpo is led by junior Betsy Adams (13.6 ppg), junior Ashley Timmerman (7.6 ppg), and freshman Tabitha Gerardot (7.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg).
No matter the outcome of Friday’s game, the Aces are guaranteed a first-time meeting with either Coastal Carolina (4-2) or Central Michigan (4-2) on day two.
If you can’t make it to the games, listen live on 91.5 F.M.-WUEV or watch online on AcesTV at GoPurpleAces.com. Fans can also follow the action via Live Stats.
A UE WIN over VALPO WOULD…
Make UE 4-2 … Improve coach
Misty Murphy’s record to 23-47 at UE and 131-112 overall … Make UE 437-529 all-time.
A UE LOSS to VALPO WOULD…
Make UE 3-3 … Drop coach Murphy’s record at UE to 22-48 and 130-113 overall … Make UE 435-529 all-time.
COMEBACK KIDS
In both of their games in the Omni Hotels Classic, the Aces rallied in the second half to overcome double figure deficits. After getting down by as much as 19 points to Colorado, the Aces held CU to just two free throws in the first nine minutes of the second half as UE went on a 15-2 run, and took the lead with six minutes remaining. However the Buffs regained the lead and edged the Aces by two. Against Eastern Washington, the Aces erased the Eagles’ 16 point first half advantage with a 16-3 run in the second to go on to earn a 10-point victory.
WHAT THE HECK?
Sophomore
Samantha Heck earned all-tournament honors at the University of Colorado’s Omni Hotels Classic, finishing the tournament with 31 points and 12 rebounds. Heck broke the tournament’s field goal percentage record, shooting 43.3 % (13-of-17) over the course of the two days, and made 7-of-7 in the come-from-behind win over Eastern Washington, tying the Classic’s record for single-game field goal percentage. Heck’s steady shooting piloted the Aces’ to a 10-point win after being down 16 in the first half. Against Colorado, Heck scored 15 points in the second half, including three straight baskets on the low block in an Aces’ 15-2 run, and gave Evansville the lead on a short jumper with six minutes remaining, erasing a 19 point first half deficit. Unfortunately, the UE was edged by the Big 12 Buffs, 55-53. Heck now leads the Aces in scoring (12.0 ppg), rebounding (6.8 rpg), and assists (3.40 apg).
CALLING ON COLLINS
Sophomore
Meagan Collins scored a career-high 23 points, leading the Aces to a 77-67 come-from-behind win over Eastern Washington, and also tallied 13 points against Colorado, leading UE with 36 total points in the tournament. Collins stood out as a play-maker and spark in the Aces’ rallies, serving as a threat on both the perimeter and in the paint.
STEALTH STACI
Junior
Staci Gillum recorded nine steals in the Omni Hotels Classic, including six versus Colorado; the most an Evansville player has made since Ashley Austin tallied six against Bradley in the 2008-09 season. Over the course of the two games, she saw 71 minutes on the floor, and hit four huge free throws in the final minute against EWU. Gillum leads the Aces with 14 steals on the year and ranks 69th in the nation averaging 2.8 per game.
“BLAIR” IT UP
Junior
Briyana Blair averaged 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds at the University of Colorado’s Omni Hotels Classic. Blair scored 10 points and tallied a team-high seven rebounds in the Aces’ come-from-behind win over Eastern Washington, sparking a 16-3 run in the second half with three strong layups. The Aces came back from a 16-point first half deficit to beat EWU, 77-67. Against Colorado, UE got down 19 points in the first half, but Blair’s timely baskets kept the Aces within reach down the stretch. The Aces erased CU’s lead on a 15-2 run to start the second half, but couldn’t hold on as the Big 12 Buffs edged Evansville, 55-53. Blair scored eight, and recorded four rebounds and three steals in the tough loss.
HOMEMADE TREATS... OR STORE-BOUGHT ARE JUST AS GOOD
On the subject of wins, it doesn’t seem to matter whether or not the Aces play on their Roberts Stadium home court, just as long as they are wearing white jerseys and have their points on the home side of the scoreboard. The Aces are 2-0 when playing at Roberts Stadium and are 3-0 when designated the home team. That includes UE’s neutral site win over EWU in Boulder, Colo. … not exactly a home win, but tastes the same.
PLAY THE BEST TO BE THE BEST
The Aces’ schedule features a number of top teams in the country ... Bowling Green - Ranks No. 4 on CollegeInsider.com’s Mid-Major Poll - UE won 63-62 (11/12/10) ... Colorado - Member of the Big 12, which finished with the hight RPI rating last year - UE lost 55-53 (11/26/10) ... Wisconsin-Green Bay: Ranks No. 1 on CollegeInsider.com’s Mid-Major Poll - UE plays at Green Bay on Dec. 18 ... Missouri State: Ranks No.12 on CollegeInsider.com’s Mid-Major Poll - UE plays at MSU on Jan. 1 ... Creighton: Ranks No.16 on CollegeInsider.com’s Mid-Major Poll - UE hosts Creighton on Feb. 5
SHARING IS CARING
With 71 assists on the year, Evansville ranks first in the MVC, averaging 14.2 per game. Heck (3.4 apg) and Lewis (3.0 apg) rank in the MVC’s top-ten in the category.
