Box Score NORMAL, Ill. - Opening the second half of MVC play, the University of Evansville women's basketball team fell to Illinois State, 82-59, on the road on Friday night in Normal, Ill.

Leading the way for Evansville was senior Marley Miller who finished with a team-high 17 points, including 12 points in the fourth quarter on four made three-pointers. A pair of freshman narrowly missed double-figures as Makayla Wallace and Sydney Tucker each recorded nine points. The Redbirds were led by Simone Goods, who tallied a game-high 22 points and nine rebounds.

The opening quarter featured the Redbirds building an 8-4 lead, but the Aces battled back to tie the game at eight with 3:59 left in the first period. After Evansville tied the contest, Illinois State pushed out to an 18-11 lead before senior Kaylan Coffman hit a jumper at the buzzer to bring the Aces within five after the first quarter. The Aces drew as close as two on a pair of free throws by Kerri Gasper, but the Redbirds responded with a 7-0 run to earn a 27-18 lead with 5:34 remaining in the half. Following a triple by freshman Sydney Tucker that pushed Evansville within six, Illinois State closed the half on a 13-4 run that gave the Redbirds a 38-25 advantage at the break.
 

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Box Score (PDF)

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Beginning the third quarter, the lead continued to grow for Illinois State, reaching its largest point at 60-28 with 2:33 left in the third period. Over the final two minutes of the third quarter, Evansville trimmed into its deficit, closing within 26 at 62-36, but the Redbirds built their advantage to hold a 67-36 lead at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Evansville manufactured a rally, helping to cut into Illinois State's lead and gaining late momentum as the Redbirds earned the 82-59 win.

Evansville returns to action to close its roadtrip at Bradley with a 2:00 p.m. contest on Sunday afternoon in Peoria, Ill.
 

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