EVANSVILLE - Powered by another impressive scoring performance from fifth-year guard Myia Clark, the University of Evansville women's basketball team battled with Missouri State, but saw its early lead fade in a 73-61 loss to the Lady Bears on Saturday afternoon inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse in Evansville.

For the second-straight contest, the Aces were led by Clark in scoring as the Schaumburg, Ill. native tallied a team-best 18 points, shooting 50% (6-of-12) from the field in the game. Fellow fifth-year A'Niah Griffin joined her backcourt mate in double-figures, scoring 11 points on the afternoon. Coming up just shy of her 28th-career double-double, senior guard/forward Abby Feit finished with nine points and nine boards in a strong effort against one of the best rebounding teams in the nation. The Lady Bears were led by Aniya Thomas, who tallied a game-best 27 points for the visitors.

Evansville got off to a quick start in the opening period, but the Aces efficient offense was matched by that of the Lady Bears. The Aces lead grew as large as three in the opening quarter as Clark scored nine of UE's 15 first-quarter points to help Evansville own a 15-14 advantage after one quarter of play. 

A quick 4-0 run from the Lady Bears to open the second period handed Missouri State back the lead, but Evansville provided an answer. In a back-and-forth first half, Evansville tied the game at 23 on a layup from sophomore Elly Morgan with just over five minutes left in the second frame. Missouri State retook the lead nearly a minute later and would hold on to it for the remainder of the half, building its advantage to seven at the break.

Offensive rebounds and second-chance points proved to be the difference in the game and specifically the third quarter as the Lady Bears began to stretch their advantage. In the game, Missouri State won the rebounding battle 46-29, including 16 offensive boards for MSU that led to 11 second chance points, helping the Lady Bears lead 56-45 going into the final 10 minutes.

A resilient Evansville bunch that has shown to not give up in games this season did just that in the fourth. Inside the first minute of the fourth period, Clark received the ball on the right wing and buried a triple that fueled the Meeks Family Fieldhouse crowd and got the Aces back within seven. In striking range to make a late rally, Evansville could not draw any closer as MSU responded with a run to take the 73-61 win.

Evansville goes on the road in MVC play for the first time this season with trips to take on Valparaiso and UIC on January 5th and 7th, respectively.
 

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