Boxscore

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Jake Odum's 15-footer with less than a second remaining Friday night sent Indiana State into the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference semifinals for the first time since 2001, depriving the University of Evansville of its first trip to the semifinals since 1999.  Odum's shot gave the Sycamores a 52-50 victory in a game in which the Aces led the entire first half and much of the second.

Despite the loss, the 15-15 Aces have hopes of post-season play in either the College Basketball Invitational or the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.  Bids for each will be announced on Sunday, March 13 following the NCAA and NIT pairings announcements.

Evansville led the entire first half Friday, jumping out to eight-point leads three times in the first half, at 13-5, 18-10 and 20-12. Indiana State came back in the second half to lead by as many as four points in the final five minutes, but a three-pointer by Denver Holmes tied the game at 46 with 3:27 to play.  The Aces went up 48-47 on two Colt Ryan free throws with 3:00 to play, and 50-47 when Ned Cox hit a mid-range jumper with 1:22 to go.  But Myles Walker converted a three-point play for Indiana State to tie the game at 50 with 1:14 to play.  Missed shots and turnovers kept the score 50-50, but the Sycamores took advantage of their opportunity when they got the ball back on an over-and-back call with eight seconds to go.  Odum drove toward the lane, pulled up and hit the shot with 0.5 seconds to play.  A long Evansville inbounds pass was intercepted, and the #3 seed Sycamores (18-13) were able to survive.  The #3 seed is now 21-2 against the #6 seed in the 23 years that the MVC Tournament has taken place in St. Louis.

"I'm proud of the way our guys battled all night," said coach Marty Simmons, "but Indiana State was able to make the big play when they needed it."

Odum led the Sycamores with 13.  Ryan had 14 to lead the Aces, and Troy Taylor came off the bench to add seven points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Indiana State plays #2 Wichita State Saturday at 4:05 in the semifinals, following the 1:35 contest between #1 Missouri State and #5 Creighton.