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The Aces and Salukis are both long overdue and hungry for a win this weekend when the University of Evansville women’s basketball team takes on Southern Illinois University Saturday at 2:00pm CST at Roberts Stadium. Evansville looks to snap a three-game skid and even the all-time series between the squads in which SIU leads 21-20. The Salukis hope to halt their losing streak at five, having not seen a victory since December 18th. Here’s a look at Saturday’s matchup:
EVANSVILLE (6-9, 1-3 MVC) - UE comes off an 0-2 week in which the Aces fell, 81-55, to Creighton and 69-62 in a tough overtime loss to Drake. Against the Bulldogs, UE came back from a 12-point deficit, propelled by sophomore Meagan Collins’ first career double-double, tallying 19 points and 11 rebounds, and junior Briyana Blair’s 17 points, seven assists, and five steals. Sophomore Samantha Heck leads the Aces on the season, averaging 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, followed by Blair (9.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Collins (8.6 ppg).
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (2-13, 0-4 MVC) - The Salukis also come off losses to Drake and Creighton, falling to the Bulldogs, 70-57, last Thursday and 68-51 to the Bluejays on Saturday. Teri Oliver leads SIU, averaging 10.5 points per game, including 34 three-pointers on the season. Katrina Swingle (7.9 ppg), Sidney Goins (7.7 ppg), and Charnise Mitchell (7.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg) have also been steady contributors.
A UE WIN OVER SOUTHERN ILLINOIS WOULD…
Make UE 7-9 ... Improve coach
Misty Murphy’s record to 26-54 at UE and 134-119 overall … Make UE 440-536 all-time ... Even the all-time series between SIU and UE to 21-21.
A UE LOSS TO SOUTHERN ILLINOIS WOULD…
Make UE 6-10 … Drop coach Murphy’s record at UE to 25-55 and 133-120 overall … Make UE 439-537 all-time ... Give SIU a 22-20 all-time series advantage.
CALLING ON COLLINS
Sophomore Meagan Collins averaged 15.0 points per game and 8.5 rebounds and was UE’s high scorer and rebounder in both games against Creighton and Drake. Against the Bulldogs, Collins recorded her first career double-double, tallying 19 points and 11 rebounds, and sparked a comeback to force an extra period after the Aces were down as much as 12 points in the second half. Against Creighton, Collins led the Evansville effort with 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists. In the New Year, the Boonville native is UE’s leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 11.0 points and 7.3 rebounds across three games.
“BLAIR” IT UP
Against Drake, Briyana Blair sparked a second-half comeback after the Aces were down as much as 12 points. Blair tallied 16 second-half points, including eight in the Aces’ 13-2 run, and her layup with nine seconds to go in regulation evened the score and forced overtime. Blair finished with 17 points, and a career-high seven assists and five steals.
Da da da DA da DAAA… CHARGE!
Evansville and Drake combined for a season-high 63 turnovers on Sunday as the Aces recorded 30 and the Bulldogs 33. After falling behind to Drake, the Aces created their own opportunities and shifted the momentum of the game, taking eight charges and tallying 13 steals over the course of the contest to comeback from a 12-point deficit and force overtime.
STARTING FIVE
The Aces have only had two different starting lineups this season. Junior forward
Chelsea Falkenstein, sophomore center Samantha Heck, junior guard
Staci Gillum, and senior guard
Stephanie Bamberger have started all 15 games this season, while Meagan Collins joined the starting five for the past six games after previous regular starter Jordan Lewis’ season ended due to injury.
LAST HOME MEAL
The Aces end their three-game home series Saturday with Southern Illinois. Evansville hopes to snap its three-game skid and regain an above .500 record at Roberts Stadium, currently standing 4-4 on their home court. UE hits the road to UNI and Bradley next weekend.
BUCKETS ALL AROUND
Against Creighton, all 11 Aces scored at least one basket in the loss. The last time every UE players who got into the game scored at least once was on Nov. 27, 2010 vs. Eastern Washington at the Omni Hotels Classic.
GROWING LIKE A WEED
Freshman Hannah Weedman played a career-high 16 minutes against Creighton and recorded her first college points, tallying four on a basket and two free throws, while also adding a rebound and an assist.
TREY BIEN ELLERSON
Against Missouri State, freshman
Katie Ellerson scored a career-high 12 points with four three-pointers. The Wisconsin native sparked a 13-2 run with three consecutive makes from behind the arc. Ellerson’s 22 minutes on the floor was also a career-high, with her previous being 13 at Green Bay.
GETTING TO THE LINE
Briyana Blair’s 69 attempts at the foul line is nearly twice as many chances as any of her teammates. Although Blair is shooting just 59.4 percent at the charity stripe (41-for-69) her aggressive drives to the basket have been putting opponents in foul trouble and allowing the Aces to get into bonus early. Against Drake, Blair had nine attempts at the line, as the Bulldogs were called for 24 fouls, compared to the Aces’ 18.
B.E.E.F.
With so many close games, free throws have made a huge impact in the outcome of UE’s contests this season. When the Aces shoot above 60%, they own a 6-4 record. When they shoot below 60% they are winless (0-5).
LOSS OF LEWIS
Jordan Lewis will be out for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL and MCL, happening in practice on Wednesday, December 15th. The junior guard started every game for the Aces this season up until the injury, averaging 7.2 points per game and 28.0 minutes on the court, while also adding 25 assists and 11 steals.
PHOTO FINISHES
Eight of the Aces’ 15 contests this season have been decided by three or less points or have gone to overtime, with Evansville going 3-4 in one possession games and 0-1 in overtime.
SPOILER ALERT
Evansville’s thrilling one-point win over Bowling Green to kick off the season has proven to be even more meaningful than first thought. That loss for the Falcons has been their only all year. BGSU currently stands with a 15-1 record, ranked second in the CollegeInsider.com’s Mid-Major Poll (behind Green Bay), and has received votes for the AP and Coaches Polls.
CLOSING TIME
This is Evansville’s final season at Roberts Stadium. Opened in 1956 and completely renovated in 1990, the 11,600-seat facility has been the site of more than 1,000 UE basketball games. The final women’s game there will be March 5 versus Wichita State. A $127 million arena in downtown Evansville will be ready for next season.
EARLY SIGNEES
Coach Misty Murphy has announced the signing of three high school standouts to National Letters of Intent. Guards Juliann Miller (Louisville, Ky./Mercy Academy), LeiLoni Smith (Vian, Okla./Vian), and Kourtni Taylor (Akron, Ohio/Lake Ridge Academy) will make up the Lady Aces’ freshman class for the 2011-12 season.
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
This year’s team captains, decided on by the team and coaches are senior Stephanie Bamberger, Chelsea Falkenstein and Staci Gillum.
