Box Score NORMAL, Ill. - Despite falling behind, the University of Evansville women's basketball team showed resiliency late in the game to cut into its deficit in an 81-58 loss to Illinois State in Normal, Ill. on Sunday afternoon.

For the first time this season, sophomore Makayla Wallace led the Aces in scoring, recording all of her team-best 14 points in the second half. Tying her career-high was sophomore Sydney Tucker who was the second Ace to finish in double-figures. Back in her hometown, freshman Abby Feit scored six points and recorded a game-high 14 boards. On the other side, Juliunn Redmond scored 15 points to power the Redbirds.

After Evansville took an early 6-3 advantage, Illinois State roared back with a 16-4 run to close the quarter, taking a 19-10 lead for the Redbirds at the conclusion of the opening period.

The second quarter saw a similar story of the opening quarter as the Redbirds pushed their lead as large as 22 with 2:26 left before the break. Evansville would work itself back within 20 as A'Niah Griffin hit a pair of free throws to trim Illinois State's lead to 36-16 at the half. The Aces were cold in the first half, shooting just 22% (6-27) from the field in the opening 20 minutes, including a 2-14 (14%) in the second quarter. The Redbirds didn't light the nets on fire themselves in the first half, shooting 33% (10-30) from the field.
 

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Box Score (PDF)

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Evansville's offense got going in the third quarter as the Aces matched their total from the first half. The Redbirds also found their offense, scoring 31 points in the quarter to hold a 67-32 lead with 10 minutes left in the contest.

The Aces scored six straight points to begin the fourth period as Makayla Wallace and Sydney Tucker each knocked down triples. Evansville would dominate much of the final 10 minutes as UE out-scored Illinois State, 26-14, in the fourth. Shooting was key to the spark in Evansville's offense as the Aces' got to the rim and shot 44% from the field in the fourth quarter.

In the game, Illinois State shot 44% to Evansville's 33%, while the Redbirds held a decisive advantage on the boards, 54-37.

Evansville is back home inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse for its home MVC opening weekend against Loyola on Friday at 6 PM and Valparaiso on Sunday at 1 PM.
 

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