Box Score

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Kenneth Harris led all players with 17 points and 10 rebounds as the University of Evansville men’s basketball team wrapped up exhibition play with a 74-61 win over the University of Illinois-Springfield Friday evening at the Ford Center.
 
Ned Cox recorded 11 points and was followed by Denver Holmes, who notched nine.
 
“We got knocked on our heels a little bit, we just have to improve,” head coach Marty Simmons said.  “Hopefully this will motivate us to learn and get better in practice.  I don’t want to take anything away from Springfield, but we just have to improve.”
 
The Prairie Stars, who are members of the Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference, had the hot hand early on.  After the Aces scored the first three tallies, UIS responded by hitting three of their first five shots en route to a 7-3 advantage.  Their defense held UE to just 1-of-6 shooting to open the game.
 
After eight lead changes, Evansville finally was able to make a run.  With the score tied at 21-21 with 8:57 left in the opening period, UE scored the next seven points, five coming via the free throw.  The Aces held the advantage through the remainder of the half, taking a nine-point edge (37-28) into the break.
 
Illinois-Springfield opened up the second half on a 5-1 run to get within five points after Keith Smith knocked down a trey.  Not phased by the run, Evansville recorded the next six points to take a 44-33 lead.  A three-pointer by freshman Jordan Nelson with 13:49 left in the contest put UE’s lead in double figures for good.  Evansville led by as many as 17 points with 6:20 left in the game before settling for the 13-point victory.
 
UIS outshot the Aces, .476-.382, but Evansville won the battle at the free throw line, sinking 31 shots.  The Prairie Stars had the edge from three-point land, hitting 6-of-12 while UE hit one out of five attempts.
 
Matt Peeler had a solid effort against UIS, notching eight boards and seven points.  Troy Taylor and Lewis Jones finished with eight points each.
 
Leading the way for UIS was Keith Smith, who notched 11 points.  Brandon Snowden and Kyle Gupton each finished the night with ten.
 
The regular season is just eight days away as the Aces prepare to face Butler in the season opener on November 12 at the Ford Center.