EVANSVILLE - As the regular season gets set to come to a close, the University of Evansville women's basketball team opens the final weekend by welcoming in Illinois State to Meeks Family Fieldhouse at 6 PM on Thursday.
 

Evansville vs. Illinois State | 6 PM
Date | Time	Thurs, March 5 | 6 PM
Location	Evansville, Ind.
Site	Meeks Family Fieldhouse
Thurs., March 5	Evansville vs. Illinois State
Follow Along	Live Stats | ESPN+
Evansville	Women's Basketball Site | Twitter | Game Notes

Last Game: Indiana State 70, Evansville 58

• Evansville was led by sophomore A'Niah Griffin, who scored a career-high 17 points to lead the way for the Aces.
• On the other side, Indiana State was powered by Caitlin Anderson, who finished with 27 points off the bench.
• The fourth quarter proved to be the difference on the night as the Sycamores out-scored the Aces by 11 in the final stanza.
• Both sides sputtered offensively in the first quarter as the two sides mustered just 25 combined points and shot 27% and 29% from the field, respectively.
• The second quarter saw a small uptick in offense as Evansville shot 50% (7-14) from the field in the period, helping the Aces tie the game at 27 at the half
• In the third quarter, Indiana State built its lead back to five at 32-27 as Del'Janae Williams knocked-down a free throw.
• Evansville would battle back, getting as close as one just over a minute later as junior Lola Bracy split a pair at the line.
• Indiana State built its lead up as high as seven in the quarter with 3:01 remaining in the period, but Evansville again clawed back, this time tying the game at 40 with a 7-0 run capped-off by a Bracy layup with 1:31 left in the quarter.
• The Aces and Sycamores traded baskets before Evansville took a one-point lead on an and-one by Griffin. Before the close of the quarter, Indiana State retook its lead at 45-44 with 10 minutes remaining.
• Indiana State dominated much of the fourth quarter, scoring seven-straight points to start the period and take an eight-point advantage.
• The Aces would draw within six points twice, but could get not closer as the Sycamores earned the 70-58 win.
• The bench for the Sycamores came up huge as Indiana State saw 44 of its 70 points come from players off the bench.

Previewing the Matchup

• Evansville and Illinois State renew their series for the 55th time this Thursday with the Redbirds holding a 35-19 advantage in the series.
• The Aces and Redbirds last met on January 5 in Normal as Illinois State earned a 81-58 win.
• Evansville last defeated the Redbirds on Feb. 26, 2017 with a 60-56 triumph over Illinois State inside the Ford Center.
• Despite Illinois State owning a 35-19 lead in the all-time series, Evansville holds a 3-3 record when facing the Redbirds during the month of March.
• Since their meeting exactly two months ago, Illinois State has compiled a 7-7 record, while the Aces are 0-14.
• Sophomore A'Niah Griffin was an offensive force for the Aces against Indiana State on Friday. Griffin recorded a new career-high with 17 points, including seven trips to the free- throw line. In all, Griffin drew seven fouls on the Sycamores, three more than any other Ace.
• Since conference play began, sophomore Anna Newman has seen an increase her role. During MVC play, Newman is averaging 26.8 minutes per game and 3.2 boards per game, while averaging 25.4 minutes and 2.8 rebounds overall this season.
• Illinois State enters the weekend with a whole lot of momentum. The Redbirds opened last weekend with a 78-66 win over then No. 20 Missouri State before sweeping the weekend with a 66-56 win over SIU on Sunday. The Redbirds have already secured them a spot in Friday's quarter final action, but could find themselves anywhere from the four seed to the six seed depending on the outcome of the weekend's games.

 

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