Box Score MURRAY, Ky. - In its season opener, the University of Evansville women's basketball team was led by its underclassmen in an 84-61 loss to Murray State on Tuesday evening in Murray, Ky.

In all, 35 of Evansville's 61 points were scored by underclassmen with freshman Rylie Stephens leading the way with 14 points, while adding seven boards. Stephens 14 points mark the fourth-straight season opener in which a newcomer has led Evansville in scoring as the Fairland, Ind. native went 6-of-9 from the floor on the evening. Joining Stephens in double figures was sophomore Abby Feit, who finished with 10 points and five rebounds.

Evansville got going early by way of Feit, who scored eight of her 10 points in the first quarter, including eight of the Aces first 15 points in the game. The Aces took an early 9-4 lead as Rylie Stephens knocked-down her first collegiate basket, converting on a triple from the top of the key with 5:36 left in the opening quarter. After the Aces early lead, Murray State responded with a 12-2 run to gain a five-point advantage nearing the end of the first. As the opening period waned, Murray State maintained its five-point lead to take a 22-17 lead after one quarter.

In the second period, Murray State added to its lead, gaining a 10-point advantage on a layup by Manna Mensah with 7:32 left in the half. Evansville would cut back within eight points, but the Racers pushed their lead to 13 at the break.

A 10-1 run to open the second half widened the advantage to 22 for the Racers, but it was Stephens who sparked a run in response for the Aces. Starting with a pull-up jumper and ending with another three, Stephens keyed a 9-0 run for Evansville including a lay-in by Jada Poland that forced a Murray State timeout. Out of the break, the Aces had cut their deficit to 14 at 49-35, but the Racers responded, taking a 62-37 lead into the fourth quarter.

Freshman Erin Dumas started a mini-streak for the Aces in the early parts of the fourth as Dumas converted one-of-two shots at the free-throw line and hit a triple to push Evansville closer. As the fourth period waned, Evansville battled back, cutting the deficit back to 23 as the Racers earned an 84-61 win.

The Aces return to action on Saturday in their first game of the season inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse when Evansville welcomes in Purdue Fort Wayne for a 6 PM tip-off.
 

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