Box Score CHICAGO, Ill. - On the road in the Windy City, the University of Evansville women's basketball team battled for a 67-58 win over Chicago State in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday afternoon.
"Really proud of our group and their ability in the big moments down the stretch to make winning plays," said Aces' women's basketball head coach Matt Ruffing. "It was a well rounded effort: we had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, three players scored in double figures, and we out-rebounded Chicago State. It's a work in progress, but it feels good to get our first win on the year."
Senior guard Kerri Gasper paced the Purple Aces with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds as Evansville out-rebounded the Cougars, 44-43. Also finishing in double figures for the Aces were senior Brooke Bishop with 11 points and freshman Tayzha Buck with 10 points as eight players for UE scored in the contest.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle that featured six lead changes with neither side gaining a lead larger than two through the first eight minutes of the opening period. As the quarter drew to a close, the Aces hit three triples over the last 1:36 to gain a 19-12 advantage heading into the second quarter.
In the second period, the Cougars pushed back, tying the game at 22 midway through the quarter. Despite Chicago State's run, Evansville once again had an answer, increasing its lead back to five at the half.
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Box Score (PDF)
Evansville's lead ballooned to 11 with an 8-2 run to begin the second half, capped-off by a layup by senior Tattenai Hall with 5:46 lef tin the third quarter. The Cougars attempted to cut into the Aces' led, but Evansville increased its lead to its highest point of the afternoon at 47-35 with three minutes remaining on the clock in the third quarter. As the quarter entered its final minutes, Chicago State went on an 8-0 run to cut the Aces' lead to four at 47-43 at the conclusion of the third period.
The Cougars maintained their momentum in the fourth quarter, coming back to tie the game at 51 with just over four minutes left. After the Chicago State run, the Aces answered the call, as Buck knocked down a three to put the Aces in front, 56-53. As the two teams entered the final five minutes of action, Chicago State mounted two final pushes, including getting within a point with just two minutes remaining. After the Cougars trimmed Evansville's lead to jst one at 59-58, the Aces responded as freshman Anna Newman laid it in to increase UE's lead to five with just 16 seconds remaining as Evansville captured the 67-58 road win over the Bears.
The Aces are back in action for their regular season home opener against SIUE on Wednesday evening at 6:)) p.m. inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse.
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