Box Score

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Junior center Samantha Heck’s 21 points on a perfect percentage from the field, behind the arch, and at the free throw line, piloted the University of Evansville women’s basketball team to a 78-41 exhibition win over Oakland City University Saturday afternoon at the Ford Center. The game marked the first under the direction of first-year head coach Oties Epps and the first athletic event in the brand new downtown Ford Center.

Heck went 7-for-7 from the field, 3-for-3 from three-point range, and 4-for-4 from the line, while also ripping down nine boards in 25 minutes of play. Junior Briyana Blair also reached double figures, tallying 10 points on 3-for-5 shooting from the floor and 4-for-4 performance at the charity stripe, while also adding six assists. Senior Staci Gillum and sophomore Hannah Weedman each added eight points for the Aces.

The Lady Oaks scored the first basket of the game, but it was the last lead the visitors would have, as Evansville went on a 26-7 run for a commanding 17 point lead at the 8:42 mark on junior Meagan Collins’ layup.

The Aces stepped up the defense and pressed down the pedal in the remaining minutes of the half, building a 31 point half time advantage, 45-14. In the 16-1 run, over the final 4:13 minutes of the period, it was a team effort as five UE players scored at least one basket and went 5-for-5 from the free throw line as a squad.

Evansville shot 65.4 percent (17-26) from the field in the first half, and 4-7 from beyond the arch. UE’s defense held Oakland City to 6-of-30 shooting and 1-of-10 from three.

The Aces never looked back in the second stanza, sinking their first five shots from the floor and built as much as a 44 point lead at the 2:31 mark on sophomore Katie Ellerson’s layup.

In the game, Evansville shot 51.9 percent (28-54) from the field, 41.2 percent (7-17) from three, and 83.3 percent (15-18) from the free throw line.

Chelsea Jone led the Lady Oaks with 12 points and three steals as Oakland City forced Evansville into 20 turnovers in the game. However, OCU also had 21 turnovers themselves. Tallying 13 steals as a squad, senior Chelsea Falkenstein and junior Jordan Lewis led UE with three swipes apiece.

The Aces open the regular season Nov. 11 on the road at Murray State. Evansville does not return home until Tuesday, Nov. 29 when UE hosts Ball State.