Box Score

In the championship game of the Heritage Federal Credit Union Aces Classic, the University of Evansville women’s basketball team scored plenty of points, but Central Michigan managed even more, topping the Aces, 96-83, Saturday afternoon at Roberts Stadium. Senior Stephanie Bamberger represented UE on the all-tournament team, totaling 32 points across the two days.

 

In the first half, the Aces (4-3) and Chippewas (6-2) battled back-and-forth for the first five minutes of play with Evansville taking 9-6 lead on Bamberger’s three at 15:33. However, Central Michigan went on a 24-4 run, capped by tournament most valuable player Shonda Long’s three, which gave the Chippewas a 17 point lead, their largest of the half.

 

Like they did against Colorado and against Eastern Washington, Evansville battled back to cut the margin to just four points on Falkenstein’s layup with two minutes remaining in the half. But, turnovers proved deadly as CMU went on a 7-1 run to take a 49-39 lead into halftime.

 

The Aces inched within six points on junior Jordan Lewis’ layup two minutes into the second half, but the rest of the game belonged to the Chippewas. All-tournament selection Kaihla Szunko gave CMU their largest lead of the game, 22-points, with just under seven minutes remaining.

 

Evansville cut the deficit to 10 on junior Staci Gillum’s free throws at 1:23 remaining, but that was as close as the Aces would get.

 

UE was hot from three tonight, making 9-of-18, including freshman Katie Ellerson’s 3-for-4 performance off the bench in the second half. However, Central Michigan recorded 13 steals as a team, forcing Evansville to turn the ball over 20 times compared to the Chippewas’ 13.

 

Bamberger led the squad with 17 points, followed by junior Chelsea Falkenstein’s 15, and Ellerson’s 11. 

 

For CMU, five players reached double figures, including Long’s 27 points and Szunko’s 24.

In overtime, Valparaiso University beat Coastal Carolina, 59-52, in the consolation game of the Classic.

 

The Aces are back in action Tuesday when they host Butler for an 11am start at Roberts Stadium.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Shonda Long (CMU) - MVP
Kaihla Szunko (CMU)
Stephanie Bamberger (UE)
Betsy Adams (Valpo)
Kayla Cook (Coastal)