Box Score (PDF)

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Seniors D.J. Balentine and Egidijus Mockevicius led the way as the University of Evansville men's basketball team opened up the season with an 80-65 victory over Southeast Missouri State on Sunday afternoon at the Ford Center.
 
Balentine hit a game-high 10 free throws on his way to 20 points.  He also registered six assists.  Mockevicius came within shouting distance of a double-double as he posted 18 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocks.  His efforts in blocks and rebounds were each game highs.  Mislav Brzoja also finished in double figures, tallying 16 points and 12 rebounds while knocking down 9 of his 10 free throw attempts.
 
"We had some good spurts today, making the extra pass on offense and also doing some great things defensively," head coach Marty Simmons said.  "We had a size advantage and Egidijus did a great job on the glass and Mislav came in off the bench to give us great play overall."
 
"In that 9-0 run, we really did well in transition and playing fast," Simmons continued.  "Give Southeast Missouri State credit, they kept battling back every time and did a great job."
 
SEMO (0-2) was led by an 18-point effort from Joel Angus III.  Angus also hauled in a team-best seven rebounds.  Antonius Cleveland finished the day with 14 points and 6 assists.
 
Evansville had the early edge, jumping out to an 84 lead, but after hitting two of its first three shots, the Aces made just 1 of their next five and allowed the Redhawks to score the next seven points to take an 11-8 lead.  Southeast Missouri State extended its lead to as many as three points at 16-13 as the Aces made 1 out of 7 shots over a stretch midway through the first half. 
 
Balentine put a halt to the streak and began a 10-2 run that gave the Aces the lead for good.  His free throws broke up a 17-17 tie as the Aces would go up by a 27-19 tally with 6:30 remaining in the first half.  UE led by 11 in the final minutes before the Redhawks made it a 44-36 game at the break.
 
Coming out of halftime, SEMO clicked on all cylinders, hitting three shots in a row as part of an 8-2 stretch that got them within two just over two minutes into the period. 
 
At that point, Evansville put its foot down.  UE extended its lead to five at 57-52 before embarking on a 9-0 run that was capped off by a Brzoja triple.  Evansville led by as many as 18 points at 72-54 before finishing off the 80-65 win. 
 
The Aces had a stellar day on the boards, hauling in 47 while limiting SEMO to just 30.  Evansville shot 44.4% on the day and checked in at 82.4% from the free throw line.  The Aces also outscored the Redhawks by a 28-13 tally in points off the bench.
 
On Tuesday, Evansville continues its 3-game homestand to begin the season as it hosts Marian (Ind.) at 7 p.m.
 

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