Box Score
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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Egidijus Mockevicius posted his fourth double-double in five games, but a late spurt gave Indiana State a 59-54 victory on Wednesday evening at the Hulman Center.
 
Mockevicius hit 5 of his 8 shots and 7 out of 9 free throws while posting 12 caroms to lead all players.  D.J. Balentine was the other lone Ace (11-17, 4-11 MVC) in double digits with 19.
 
A defensive first half began the exact opposite way as the Sycamores (21-6, 12-3 MVC) reeled off the first 10 points of the game on a 4-5 start from the floor.  Justin Gant and Jake Kitchell downed a triple apiece in the run.  Adam Wing got the Aces on the board just over three minutes in, ending an 0-3 opening for UE with two turnovers.
 
Down 16-6, Evansville got back in the game, scoring four in a row, led by an Egidijus Movkevicius old fashioned 3-point play with 12:37 remaining in the first half.  UE's deficit would remain in single digits over the remainder of the half, getting as low as three points in the final minute as Duane Gibson hit a jumper from the free throw line making it a 30-27 game.  At the buzzer, it was Khristian Smith hitting a shot of his own to send the Sycamores into halftime up 32-27.
 
After making 5 of their first 6 shots, Indiana State went just 6-of 18 over the remainder of the period, including a 4/11 effort from outside.  Jake Odum posted ten points in the half as he made six free throws in seven trips to the stripe.  Mockevicius had 8 points and 7 rebounds to lead UE at the break.
 
Indiana State scored four of the first six points after halftime, but UE quickly bounced back, knocking down three shots in a row to cut the Sycamore lead to just one at 36-35.  Balentine, Mockevicius and Gibson each hit a bucket in the rally.
 
Just as fast as they got back in the game, the three's started falling once against for Indiana State.  This time it was Devonte Brown and Lucas Eitel connecting from downtown.  Balentine and the Aces would have none of it; the sophomore hit two treys in a row to get within one once again at 44-43 inside of the 12-minute mark.
 
The rally continued as Mockevicius continued his rebounding tare as he converted his 10^th carom of the night into his 15^th point, but more importantly, it gave Evansville its first lead of the night at 47-46 just past the midway point of the second stanza.  UE got it done on both ends, hitting 7 of their first 14 shots of the second half while holding ISU to 6-of-17 in the first 12 minutes of the frame.
 
Odum put an end to what was an 18-10 run by UE, knocking down a pair of free throws to put Indiana State back on top with seven minutes left.  Dawon Cummings became the sixth Sycamore to hit a trey, extending the lead to 51-47, but a Blake Simmons triple, coupled with a Balentine jumper, saw Evansville go back up 52-51 inside of five minutes remaining.
 
At the 4 minute mark, Odum hit his sixth bucket of the evening to give the lead back to the Sycamores; that edge grew to three, where it stood inside of 30 seconds remaining.  Down 57-54, Evansville missed a pair of triples over that span as Indiana State got the ball back and was able to hit two late free throws to clinch the 59-54 victory.
 
Leading the Sycamore attacked was Odum, who totaled a game-high 22 points.  He was the lone ISU player in double figures.  He also led ISU in rebounds (7) and assists (5).  His efforts helped ISU finish with a 31-29 edge on the boards while slightly outshooting UE by a 43%-40% final.
 
The Aces are back at the Ford Center for their final two home games of the season.  That begins on Saturday as Evansville is home to play Southern Illinois.  Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. and will be Military Appreciation Day as all service members, current and former, will be admitted free.  The 2013-14 UE Athletics Hall of Fame Class will be recognized at halftime and former UE great Scott Haffner will have his jersey retired.  It will be a great atmosphere for all.