Game Notes
Live Stats
In a rare late morning contest, the University of Evansville women’s basketball team takes on Creighton Saturday, looking to get back in the win column and end UE’s five-game skid. Tip-off is slated for 11:05 a.m. CST at Creighton’s D.J. Sokol Arena in Omaha, Neb.
The second-place Bluejays own a 27-10 lead in the all-time series, including victories in the last three meetings. The Aces last topped CU in the championship game of the MVC Tournament on March 15, 2009. UE won 47-45 and advanced to the NCAA tournament. Here’s a brief look at Saturday’s matchup:
EVANSVILLE (7-14, 2-8 MVC) - The Aces dropped their fifth straight game Thursday at Drake, falling 63-55. Junior Briyana Blair led Evansville with 16 points and six rebounds, while junior Staci Gillum, playing in front of her hometown fans, scored a career-high 12 points along with three steals. On the season, Blair and sophomore Samantha Heck lead the team in scoring with 10.4 and 10.2 points per game, respectively.
CREIGHTON (14-7, 8-2 MVC) - Creighton swiped a season-high 15 steals in cruising to a 62-43 win over Southern Illinois Thursday night at D.J. Sokol Arena. The Bluejays out-scored the Salukis 28-5 in points off of turnovers, as DaNae Moore and Ally Jensen both notched career-highs in steals in the 19-point win. On the season, Kelsey Woodard (13.1 ppg), Carli Tritz (11.0 ppg), and Sam Schuett (10.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg) lead the Bluejays offensively.
A UE WIN OVER CREIGHTON WOULD…
Make UE 8-14 overall ... Make UE 3-8 in the MVC ... Improve coach Misty Murphy’s record to 27-59 at UE and 135-124 overall … Make UE 441-541 all-time.
A UE LOSS TO CREIGHTON WOULD…
Make UE 7-15 … Make UE 2-9 in the MVC ... Drop coach Murphy’s record at UE to 26-60 and 134-125 overall … Make UE 440-542 all-time.
JUNIOR ACHIEVERS
Against Drake, the Aces’ junior class accounted for 32 of UE’s 55 points, led by Briyana Blair’s 16 and Staci Gillum’s 12. On the season, the juniors have scored 41 percent of the team’s points.
WHAT THE HECK, “BLAIR” IT UP
Against Drake, junior Briyana Blair led the Aces in scoring for the sixth time this season. Samantha Heck has also headed the scoring column six times this season, while being the Aces’ top rebounder a team-high eight times, including when she tallied her second double-double of the season against Illinois State with a team-high 14 points and game-high 10 rebounds.
TWO OVER 200
Two Evansville players went over the 200-point mark for the season in Saturday’s game against Illinois State. Junior Briyana Blair now has 219 points and leads the Aces with a 10.4 average. Sophomore Samantha Heck is right behind with 215 points and a 10.2 scoring average.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The Aces continue their longest road trip of the season this weekend at Creighton, followed by a Feb. 12 game at Southern Illinois. UE has lost four in a row on the road after starting off the MVC season with a 74-66 win at Wichita State Dec. 31.
STOP! THIEF!
The Aces lead the Valley, averaging 11.1 steals per game against conference foes, led by Briyana Blair’s 3.0 per game, good for second in the MVC.
NO HARM, NO FOUL
The Aces average just 14.1 personal fouls per game, which ranks them 20th nationally. In 19-of-21 games, Evansville has been charged with the same amount or less personal fouls than its opponent. The national leader, Wyoming, averages 11.4 personal fouls per game.
GO PACKERS!
We all know what team freshman Katie Ellerson will be cheering for this Sunday in the Super Bowl. The Muskego, Wis. native’s father, Gary, played in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers from 1985-86. Many of Ellerson’s teammates may also don the green and gold Sunday since the Aces were able to pay a visit to Lambeau Field -- taking a private tour, making “Lambeau Leaps” on the “Frozen Tundra,” and eating dinner in the historic stadium -- when UE was in town playing Wisconsin-Green Bay on Dec. 18th.
STARTING FIVE
The Aces have had four different starting lineups this season. Junior forward Chelsea Falkenstein and senior guard Stephanie Bamberger have started all 21 games this season.
DOUBLE THE FUN
Samantha Heck and Meagan Collins are the only current Lady Aces with a double-double on their resumes. Heck’s first 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. Collins scored one of her own versus Drake (1/9/10) with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
TREY BIEN
Senior Stephanie Bamberger ranks third in the Valley in conference games, knocking down 15-of-37 from three (40.5 percent). Freshman Katie Ellerson ranks third in all games with a 39.5 three-point field goal percentage, making 17-of-43.
PINK OUT
This year’s Hoops for the Cure Game will be Saturday Feb. 19 versus Northern Iowa at 2:00 p.m. CST. There will be great prizes auctioned off with all proceeds, including half of ticket sales going to the Komen Greater Evansville Affiliate. In 2008’s pink game, the Aces set an attendance record with 3,485 fans.
B.E.E.F.
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 7-7 record. When they shoot below 60% they are winless (0-6).
CLOSING TIME
This is Evansville’s final season at Roberts Stadium. Opened in 1956 and completely renovated in 1990, the 11,600-seat facility has been the site of more than 1,000 UE basketball games. The final women’s game there will be March 5 versus Wichita State. All players, coaches, student-managers, athletic trainers, cheerleaders, dance team members, and pep band members during the Roberts era are invited back and will be celebrated at the final game. A $127 million arena in downtown Evansville will be ready for next season.
