Live Stats
The University of Evansville women’s basketball team continues MVC play after a 1-1 start in the conference last weekend, hosting Creighton University Thursday 7:00pm CST at Roberts Stadium. The Bluejays lead the all-time series 26-10, including wins in the last two meetings. The Aces last topped Creighton in the championship game of the MVC Tournament on March 15, 2009. UE won 47-45 and advanced to the NCAA tournament. In their most recent meeting (2/13/10), the Aces fell 42-41 on the road.
EVANSVILLE (6-7, 1-1 MVC) - UE opened Missouri Valley Conference play with a split road series with Wichita State and Missouri State. Senior Stephanie Bamberger piloted the Aces with 17 points past the Shockers in the Evansville’s 74-66 win. Sophomore Samantha Heck tallied 15 points versus MSU, while freshman Katie Ellerson scored a career-high 12 points on four threes in UE’s 75-84 loss to the Lady Bears. Heck leads the Aces on the season, averaging 11.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
CREIGHTON (7-5, 1-0 MVC) - The Bluejays come into Thursday’s game off a 58-51 win over Drake. Sam Schuett recorded her first double-double of the season (18 points, 11 rebounds) and averages 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Kelsey Woodard leads Creighton with 12.8 points per game, while Carli Tritz (10.2 ppg) also averages double figures.
A UE WIN OVER CREIGHTON WOULD…
Make UE 7-7 ... Improve coach Misty Murphy’s record to 26-52 at UE and 134-117 overall … Make UE 440-534 all-time.
A UE LOSS TO CREIGHTON WOULD…
Make UE 6-8 … Drop coach Murphy’s record at UE to 25-53 and 133-118 overall … Make UE 439-535 all-time.
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.
BAM!
Senior Stephanie Bamberger matched her career-high 17 points in UE’s first MVC game of the season, piloting the Aces to a 74-66 victory over Wichita State. Bamberger shot a perfect three-for-three from behind the arc and six-for-six from the free throw line, while shooting 80.0 percent from the field (4-for-5). Against Missouri State, the Kettering, Ohio native led the Aces with seven rebounds, while also recording six points, three steals, a block, and an assist. On the season, Bamberger leads the Aces with 21 threes.
“BLAIR” IT UP
Junior Briyana Blair averaged 10.0 points during the opening weekend of Valley play, including 13 points in Evansville’s 74-66 victory over Wichita State. The Miami (Fla.) transfer made a huge impact in the closing minutes, hitting a free throw and fast break layup to give the Aces a four-point lead with one minute remaining. She then recorded her third steal of the game, forcing Wichita to intentionally put the Aces at the free throw line. Against Missouri State, Blair tallied two blocks, six rebounds and seven points, including a basket in the second half that cut the Bears’ lead to two after the Aces were trailing by as much as 17 in the first half. Blair also recorded ten assists and six steals across the two games.
da da da DA da DAA… CHARGE!
Stephanie Bamberger took a charge in both Valley games this past weekend. She has never been afraid of hitting the floor throughout her career, often forcing game-shifting fouls.
GETTING TO THE LINE
Briyana Blair’s 59 attempts at the foul line is more than twice as many chances as any of her teammates. Although Blair is shooting just 57.6 percent at the charity stripe (34-for-59) her aggressive drives to the basket have been putting opponents in foul trouble and allowing the Aces to get into bonus early. Against Wichita State, Blair had nine attempts at the line, as the Shockers were called for 24 fouls, compared to the Aces’ 12. Stephanie Bamberger leads UE, shooting 80.0 percent (20-for-25) at the free throw line.
BALANCE, EYES, ELBOW, FOLLOW THROUGH
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 6-3 record. When they shoot below 60% they are winless (0-4). Evansville shot 73.3% at Wichita State with Stephanie Bamberger and Meagan Collins shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the line.
NOT IN MY HOUSE
Junior Chelsea Falkenstein ranks fifth in the MVC in blocked shots, totaling 18 on the year and averaging 1.4 per game. With 40 in her career, she passed Kathie Layden’s 39 (1994-98) and broke into Evansville’s career top-10 after recording two at Missouri State.
WHAT THE HECK?
Sophomore Samantha Heck has scored double figure points in seven of the Aces’ games this season, including the past three games. She leads the Aces, averaging 11.1 points and ranks ninth in the MVC, averaging 14.0 points in conference games.
DOUBLE THE FUN
Samantha Heck is the only current Lady Ace who was a double-double written on her resume. Heck’s double-double (16 points, 12 rebounds) against Saint Louis on Dec. 22 marked the first by a UE player since Shannon Novosel tallied 20 points and 10 rebounds at Southern Illinois on March 7, 2009.
PHOTO FINISHES
Seven of the Aces’ 13 contests this season have been decided by three or less points, with Evansville going 3-4 in those one possession games.
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 12-1 record, ranked second in the CollegeInsider.com’s Mid-Major Poll (behind Green Bay), and has received votes for the AP and Coaches Polls. Creighton fell to the Falcons, 79-53.
SERIOUS PT
Junior Staci Gillum rarely finds a seat on the bench, averaging 33.5 minutes per game, which ranks second in the MVC. Stephanie Bamberger also usually plays 30+ minutes, seeing 31.0 minutes on average.
