SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Camary Williams enjoyed an impressive evening for the University of Evansville women's basketball team, but a big second quarter proved too much to overcome as the Purple Aces fell 68-43 to Missouri State in a rare Sunday evening game at JQH Arena.
Williams, who led all scorers with 19 points, was also the top rebounder for the Aces (8-16, 3-10 Missouri Valley Conference) with nine, and she added five steals as well. No other Ace scored in double figures.
"The best thing that Camary did tonight was that she played hard the whole time," UE head coach Matt Ruffing said. "She put forth her best effort tonight and played through the whistle. I really appreciate that as a coach, and I think her teammates did as well."
Williams has now recorded 102 steals this season, which is the second-best single-season total in school history. She is six away from tying Latasha Austin for the school record, which was set during the 2001-02 season.
Meanwhile, MSU (13-10, 9-3 MVC) recorded their ninth win in 10 games as Lexi Hughes led a four-headed offense that out-shot the Aces 41% to 25%. Hughes ended the night with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, which included a 4-of-5 performance from distance. Both Liza Fruendt and Alexa Willard posted double-doubles, combining for 25 points and 21 rebounds. Danielle Gitzen came off the bench for 15 points and six boards.
Overall, the Lady Bears out-rebounded UE 50-32.
After taking a 16-11 lead in the opening quarter, the Aces were out-scored 25-5 in the second period. Both teams scored 27 points in the second half.
UE will return to action next weekend with a showdown against Southern Illinois.
NOTES: Sara Dickey is UE's all-time leading scorer with 1,979 career points, which is the ninth-best total in MVC history … She is just 17 points away from moving into a tie with former Drake star Jan Jensen (1987-91) for eighth … Dickey also has 243 career threes, which is the 14
th-best total in league history … Sasha Robinson has now recorded 781 rebounds. She is 30 away from tying Jamie Gray (2000-04) for the third-best career total in UE history … The Aces are now 12-37 all-time against Missouri State, which includes a 2-21 mark in Springfield … UE is 37-62 all-time against schools from the state of Missouri.
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