EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Basketball season is officially underway as the Purple Aces men’s and women’s squads hosted Hoopfest at the Ford Center on Thursday evening.
 
The event began with team introductions as each squad was announced to the crowd while coaches Marty Simmons and Oties Epps made their way through the aisles of the Ford Center on their way to the floor.  In the first battle of the night, it was the men’s squad who earned bragging rights in a dance-off.  Jordan Jahr, with a little help from his teammates, outdueled Mallory Ladd of the women’s team.
 
Basketball action commenced with a shooting contest as the duo of Katie Ellerson and Jordan Nelson recorded 16 three-pointers, edging out Meagan Collins and Jordan Jahr, who tallied 13 baskets.
 
In an intrasquad scrimmage with a 10-minute running clock, the purple team topped the orange team by a 13-11 final.  The winning team consisted of Kat Taylor, Meagan Collins, Katie Ellerson, Juliann Miller and Mallory Ladd.  Ladd hit a layup in the final seconds to take the win.
 
Prior to playing their scrimmage, the men had a dunk exhibition as the players showed their skills off to the crowd.  A 10-minute scrimmage of their own followed as the teams played to an 8-8 tie.
 
A new feature was added for the scrimmages as both coaches wore microphones during play as the crowd was able to hear them coaching their respective teams and calling plays.
 
Players on both teams signed autographs following the festivities.  The season opens in just nine days as the men’s team will face crosstown rival USI in the Vectren Community Classic on Saturday, October 27 at 7:05 p.m.