Box Score

Despite building a nine point advantage in the first half and taking a 37-32 lead into the break, the University of Evansville women’s basketball team suffered a 61-50 loss to the visiting Illinois State Redbirds Saturday afternoon at Roberts Stadium. The Aces made just three field goals, shooting 14.3 percent from the field in the second half. UE fell to 7-13 on the season and 2-7 in conference play, while Illinois State improved to 14-7 overall and 6-3 in the Valley.

 

“We just didn’t play with the same intensity in the second half that we had in the first half,” summed up Head Coach Misty Murphy.

 

Sophomore Samantha Heck piloted UE with 14 points and 10 rebounds, her second double-double of the season. Senior Stephanie Bamberger tallied 10 points, while sophomore Meagan Collins and junior Briyana Blair each recorded nine points. Blair also added eight rebounds and three steals.

 

The squads traded baskets to open the game, but Heck’s three and layup for Blair broke a 6-6 tie and stretched the Aces lead to 11-6 at the 15 minute mark. UE widened the gap to eight (17-9) with 11:34 to go on a balanced scoring attack with Collins, Bamberger, and Blair tallying points.

 

However, the Redbirds, led by Shala Jackson’s defensive effort, worked their way back, taking a 23-22 lead with 6:14 remaining in the first half. Freshman Miranda Liles evened the score at the free throw line, and Bamberger knocked down a three to regain the advantage. The Aces sole senior finished the “and-one” at the line to extend UE’s lead to 29-23 with 3:23 to go.

 

In the closing few minutes, Heck took command, scoring seven of her 12 first half points to lead the Aces into the locker rooms ahead, 37-32.

 

Opening the second stanza, the Redbirds went on a 12-0 run, forcing Evansville to commit seven turnovers in the first five minutes of play, as Illinois State took a 44-37 lead.

 

Sophomore Taylor Ware ended the Aces scoring drought with a basket at the 14:27 mark.

 

After nearly three and a half minutes of scoreless basketball, the Redbirds extended their lead to nine points (50-41) on a pair free throws by Jackson with 8:17 to go.

 

At the 5:47 mark, the Aces cut the deficit to five (52-47) using a 6-2 run, capped by Heck’s jumper, but that would be as close as UE would get.

 

Evansville finished shooting 32.7 percent from the field (17-for-52), 23.5 percent from three (4-for-17), and just 52.2 percent (12-for-23) from the free throw line. Neither team scored a three-pointer in the second half, as the Redbirds shot 41.7 percent from the field, 27.3 percent from three, and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe on the game.

 

Three players for Illinois State reached double figures, led by Emily Hanley’s 17 points.

 

The Aces take to the road for three straight games, heading to Drake and Creighton next Thursday and Saturday. Tip-off Thursday versus Drake is slated for 7:05 p.m. in Des Moines, Iowa.