Game Notes

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville basketball team looks to get back on track on Saturday in a key Missouri Valley Conference matchup at Bradley.  Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Carver Arena.
 
Another late opponent rally saw the Purple Aces drop their second contest in a row as Loyola overcame a 6-point deficit in the final three minutes to defeat UE by a 71-70 final.  Four UE players hit double figures, led by D.J. Balentine's 18; Duane Gibson had a season-high of 16 while Mislav Brzoja and Egidijus Mockevicius had 12 apiece.  As a team, the Aces shot 57.4% and improved their overall shooting for the season to 52.5%, which is fifth in the nation.
 
Evansville's four losses this season have come by a total of just nine points.  The last time UE lost four games by such a small deficit came just three years ago as the squad was 3-4 in a streak of seven games that included a 72-70 loss to TCU, 67-66 at home to Wichita State, 75-73 at Illinois State and an 80-78 defeat at Indiana State.
 
Up against one of the top defenses in the MVC, the Aces were able to shoot 57.4% against Loyola on January 7.  The loss to the Ramblers marked the first time UE shot 57% or better and lost since falling in the opening round of the 2012 CBI to Princeton where the Tigers hit 60% of their attempts; UE shot 59.6% in that game.
 
It has become almost automatic that Egidijus Mockevicius will notch a double-double in each game; the junior is tied for second in the nation with 11 this season.  Mockevicius has done it all on each side of the floor; he is the #6 shooter in the nation at 64.4% while ranking in 10th with
10.6 rebounds per game and 5th with 8.20 defensive caroms per contest.
 
Bradley begins the weekend with a 6-10 mark and have gone 1-2 in their first three MVC contests.  Warren Jones is the top scorer for BU with 14.6 points per game; Jones is in his first season at Bradley after transferring in from Southeastern (Iowa) C.C..  Another newcomer – Tramique Sutherland - is just behind Jones with 12.6 points; he came to the Braves from
Hill College.  While the Braves pose the lowest scoring output in the MVC with 58.2 points per game, their defense has been stellar, allowing just 58.9 points, which is second behind UNI.
 
Following a trip to Missouri State on Wednesday, the Aces will be back at home on Saturday, Jan. 17 to take on Wichita State.  Tickets are still available and fans have the opportunity to take advantage of a great 4-$44 deal.  With the package, you are guaranteed a ticket to the games against Wichita State, Southern Illinois and Indiana State as well as your choice of one of the final four games in February.  Those opponents include: Bradley, Missouri State, Drake and Illinois State.  For more information, call 812-488-ACES or visit the Carson Center Ticket Office.