EVANSVILLE - Holding a lead for much of the contest, a late run tripped up the University of Evansville women's basketball team in an 86-77 loss to Southern Illinois in the Aces first game in 11 days on Thursday evening inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse in Evansville.

Leading the way for the Aces was fifth-year guard Myia Clark, who tallied a game-high 25 points, scoring nearly half her total at the free-throw line. Also finishing in double-figures was graduate guard Anna Newman with 17 points on an efficient 6-of-8 night from the field. The Salukis were powered by Ashley Jones, who's 23 points led five SIU players in double-figures.

After an early spell with the Salukis in front, Evansville stormed back with a 12-5 run to jump in front, 13-12. As the half waned, Newman drove to the basket and pushed UE's lead to three at 22-19 after the first quarter.

Following a back-and-forth first five minutes of the second period, the Aces pushed their lead to its largest point of the opening half on a layup by redshirt junior Barbora Tomancova, going in front, 30-23. Over the final four minutes of the half, SIU mounted a run, getting within one at the half.

SIU opened the second half by grabbing the lead in a third quarter that was marked in the early portions by a pair of lead changes. After an SIU free throw cut the UE lead to just one at 39-38, the Aces proceeded to go on an 11-1 run to grab what would be its largest lead of the game at 50-39 with 5:14 remaining in the third. Over the course of the final five minutes of the quarter, SIU mounted a comeback, closing its deficit to 57-55 with a three just before the quarter buzzer.

In the final 10 minutes, Evansville struggled to hold off the surging Salukis. SIU continued what would be a 25-7 run, taking the lead and stretching it to seven with seven minutes remaining. The Aces would close back within a possession twice in the quarter, but SIU held on to its lead and grabbed the 86-77 win.

Evansville is back in action on Saturday against Missouri State at 1 PM inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse as the Aces celebrate New Year's Eve.
 

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