Box Score
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team held the lead the entire way, topping Southern Illinois, 59-45, Saturday afternoon at SIU Arena. With the win, the Aces improve to 8-15 on the season and 3-9 in the MVC, while the Salukis dropped to 2-21 overall and 0-12 in conference.
In the first half, Blair got Evansville on the board early, knocking down a three, but the Salukis answered to keep it within one, 5-4, at the 15:49 mark. However, the Aces went on a 9-0 run to stretch the lead to 14-4 following two free throws by Bamberger.
Evansville accelerated to a 20-6 advantage by the next media timeout, and stretched its lead to as much as 18 with 1:53 to go on a layup by Heck. UE held its advantage and went into the locker rooms up 29-13.
UE forced the Salukis to commit 17 turnovers in the opening period, as Heck and Blair each recorded three steals. The stifling Aces’ defense held SIU to just 23.8 percent (5-for-21) shooting, and 16.7 percent (1-for-6) from the beyond the arc, while UE shot 39.1 percent (9-for-23) from the field and 44.4 percent (4-for-9) from three.
Out of the break, the Salukis went on a run, scoring the first six points of the new period. SIU cut the deficit to 11 points, 34-23, on Nneka Nwani’s layup with 12:23 left, but the Aces were able to hold off the attack, maintaining a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.
Collins knocked down a three with 6:17 to go, putting UE up 17 points, 48-31, for their largest lead of the second half. The Salukis cut it to as close at 12 points with 25 seconds remaining, but Blair knocked down her final two free throws to give the Aces the 59-45 victory.
Evansville finished the game shooting 34.8 percent (16-for-46) from the field, and 57.1 percent (8-for-14) from three, their second-highest percentage of the season after knocking down four-of-five in the second half. UE’s defense held the Salukis to 26.3 percent (5-for-19) from behind the arc, and 36.0 percent (18-for-50) from the field.
The Aces forced SIU into 24 turnovers and score 21 of their points off those snags. Blair and Heck tallied four steals apiece as UE swiped 12 total.
The Aces are back in action Thursday, taking on Bradley at 7:00 p.m. CST at Roberts Stadium. Evansville is also home next Saturday, hosting the annual Hoops for the Cure game. Fans are encouraged to wear pink and all proceeds, including half of ticket sales, will go to the Komen Greater Evansville Affiliate. Tip-off against Northern Iowa is at 2:00 p.m.
