Game Notes - Tickets - Live Stats
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville basketball team will look to avenge a January 4 loss as the squad faces Indiana State on Tuesday evening at the Ford Center.
Tip is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 812-488-ACES or visiting the Ford Center or Carson Center Ticket Offices. Tuesday's game is Military Appreciation Night as current and former members of the military receive two free tickets with their ID or uniform. They can also purchase additional tickets for just $5 apiece.
In Saturday's home victory over Southern Illinois, the Purple Aces led by as many as 16 points on their way to a 75-66 victory. The Salukis rallied in the second half, getting within three points in the final minutes before the Aces hit their free throws to clinch the win. D.J. Balentine returned to form against the Salukis, posting 25 points; he hit 10 out of 13 free throws and was 6-11 from the field. Egidijus Mockevicius hit 9 out of 10 free throws on his way to 15 points and 8 rebounds. Off the bench, Adam Wing was solid with 9 points while Taylor Stafford connected on a pair of triples to finish with seven.
D.J. Balentine is 19st in the nation in scoring and has registered double figures in all but two of UE's games in 2014-15. The two times he has not hit double figures have come in the last four games. Since hitting 15 out of 31 attempts against Loyola and Bradley, he has gone 16-52 since. Balentine rebounded from a season-low six points at Loyola to score 25 against Southern Illinois; he knocked down 10 out of 13 free throw attempts in the victory.
Each time he takes to the floor, Taylor Stafford gets better and that culminated with him setting his career mark against Loyola before re-setting it against Southern Illinois. Stafford hit a pair of triples for the second-straight game, setting his career mark with 7 points against the Salukis. In the last two games, Stafford has hit 4 out of his 6 3-point attempts after going 3-13 to begin the season. As UE trailed by seven points late in the first half, Stafford nailed a pair of triples to help the Aces take a halftime lead at Loyola.
After going 4-8 in non-conference play, Indiana State has excelled in MVC action, winning six of its first eight conference games. While the Sycamores are 4-0 in MVC home games this season, they are 2-2 away from the Hulman Center.
Devonte Brown is the top scorer for ISU, entering Tuesday's matchup with 12.6 points per game. Brenton Scott (11.4 PPG) and Khristian Smith (10.8 PPG) are the other double figures scorers for Indiana State. In the first meeting between the squads, it was Jake Kitchell who made the different in the OT win, posting 21 points on an 8-13 shooting day while grabbing 11 boards.
