EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Closing out a two-game homestand, the University of Evansville women's basketball team welcomes SEMO into Meeks Family Fieldhouse for a 1:00 p.m. contest on Saturday.
Evansville is coming off a matchup with UIC at home on Wednesday that saw the Purple Aces make multiple runs, but Evansville could not complete its comeback in a 62-54 setback to UIC. Senior Kerri Gasper poured-in a season-high 22 points, her second-straight 20+-point performance, while playing all 40 minutes to lead the way for Evansville. The Purple Aces held a 14-13 lead after the first quarter, but Evansville hit a cold stretch during the second period, shooting 1-8 from the field and falling behind 24-19 at the half. Evansville cut its deficit to a single possession seven times in the second half, tying the game at 34 in the third, but UIC had a response each time, eventually pulling away with a 9-2 run to secure the 62-54 win for the Flames.
A pair of seniors in Gasper and Marley Miller have stepped-up for the Aces over the last three games. Over the last three contests, the duo is averaging 34 of the Aces' 60.7 points per game and have recorded five double-digit scoring performances. All three of Evansville's 20+-point outings this season have been produced by Gasper and Miller during this three game span, including a career-high 20 points for Miller at Marshal and back-to-back 20-point performances for Gasper against Morehead State and UIC.
UE vs. SEMO (Saturday, 1:00 p.m.): The Valley on ESPN (ESPN3) | Live Stats | SEMO Website I
Game Notes
Saturday's game marks the 10th meeting all-time between the Aces and Redhawks with SEMO holding a 6-3 advantage in the series. The two sides last met a season ago as the Redhawks earned a 74-65 win over the Aces in Cape Girardeau, Mo. on Dec. 19, 2017. First meeting during the 1980-81 season, SEMO captured the first matchup between UE and the Radhawks, 70-68. Evansville has seen success against SEMO in games played in Evansville as the Aces own a 3-2 record against the Redhawks in home games. Entering Saturday's contest, the Redhawks own a 3-5 record and are fresh off an 82-46 win over Illinois Springfield on Tuesday. Leading the Redhawks are Tesia Thompson (16.8 points per game) and Adrianna Murphy (12.6), who are each averaging double-figures in scoring with Thompson also pacing SEMO in rebounds with 6.9 per game and Murphy recording a team-best 4.4 assists and 3 assists per contest.
On Saturday, the Aces will be hosting their annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Fans who bring a stuffed animal to donate at the game will receive $2 off admission and have a chance to win prizes during the Teddy Bear Toss at halftime. All donated stuffed animals will be donated.
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