Game Notes

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Non-conference play wraps up for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team on Saturday afternoon as they travel to No. 19 Butler for a 1 p.m. CT game at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
 
Evansville’s offense was hitting on all cylinders as the Aces downed nearby rival Oakland City by a 103-69 final on Tuesday evening at the Ford Center.  Four Aces finished the game in double figures led by #D.J. Balentine#’s total of 17; Ned Cox and Ryan Sawvell finished the night with 16 points apiece.
 
The Aces dominated in every facet of the game in one of its most dominant efforts of the season, topping the Mighty Oaks in scoring, rebounding, shooting, assists, steals and just about every other category; the defense held OCU to no fast break points in the game.
 
Tuesday’s 103-69 win over Oakland City marked the first time the Aces have hit the 100-point plateau since a Nov. 19 game versus Central Michigan in 2004.  The game marked the 103rd time in program history that UE eclipsed that mark and just the third time since the season opener of the 1995-96 season.  That total marked the top scoring output since Marty Simmons became head coach and was a Ford Center record.
 
Ryan Sawvell scored a total of 10 points over a 6-game stretch prior to the Alabama State game, but has done a full 180 in the last two games.  The sophomore has tallied 27 points in the previous two games, including a career-best of 16 points against Oakland City.  A 58.5% shooter for his career, Sawvell has hit 11 out of 14 shots versus ASU and OCU while averaging 6 rebounds per game.
 
Butler has posted one of the most impressive resumes in the country in its 8-2 start to 2012.  The Bulldogs only losses came at Xavier and to undefeated Illinois; last time out, they picked up an 88-86 overtime win over No. 1 Indiana, dealing the Hoosiers their first loss of the season. 
 
Rotnei Clarke is the top scorer for Butler with 17.5 points; he is one of four players who average double digits.  On offense, Butler is one of the most potent teams in the nation, ranking in the top 60 overall in shooting percentage, 2-point field goal shooting and points/possession.
 
Evansville last faced Butler a season ago in the first ever regular season game at the Ford Center as the Aces came away with an 80-77 overtime win.  Colt Ryan led UE with 23 points while hitting 14 out of 18 free throws; the main difference in overtime came from the line as BU was just 2-for-4 while the Aces hit seven out of eight free throws in the extra period.
 
In a wild finish to regulation, Ryan was fouled in the final seconds, making 1-of-2 to tie the game up at 69; with about two seconds left, Butler threw the ball the full length of the floor and appeared to make the shot, but a foul was called on the play sending Andrew Smith to the line where he missed both attempts, sending the game to OT where the Aces eventually prevailed.
 
Following the Christmas holiday, the Aces will begin MVC play on Dec. 29 with a trip to Omaha, Neb. to face nationally-ranked Creighton.