EVANSVILLE - Putting on one of its best offensive performances of the season, the University of Evansville women's basketball battled, but fell in an overtime heartbreaker, 75-70, to Valparaiso on Friday night inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse.

On a top notch night for the offense, Evansville was led by a pair of 20-plus point scorers in senior A'Niah Griffin and junior Je'Naiya Davis. Griffin recorded a new career-high with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while Davis recorded her fifth game of 20-or-more points this season, matching Griffin's 21 points for team-high. Junior Abby Feit also finished in double-digits on the evening, hitting a pair of important triples late en route to 10 points. The Beacons were powered by three double-figure scores, led by Shay Frederick, who finished with 18 points.

On a night that saw the largest crowd of the year all decked-out in orange, the Aces got off to a solid start in the first period. After falling behind 12-4, Evansville put together a 7-0 run to get within a point, eventually trailing just 14-13 after the opening 10 minutes of action. 

After shooting 38% from the field in the first period, Evansville upped its efficiency in the second quarter, hitting six of its 13 attempts (46.2%). The Beacons matched the Aces efficiency, hitting 53.9% from the field in the quarter, but neither side could gain much separation in the period as Valpo went to the break with a 30-28 lead on a layup by Frederick in the closing seconds of the half.

Out of the break it was the Beacons who took control of the contest, opening up a 39-28 lead on a quick 9-0 run out of the halftime locker room. As has become the modus operandi for the Aces as of late, a double-digit lead was ripe for a comeback. Evansville mounted a 14-2 spree that pushed the Aces in front with a 42-41 advantage with 3:20 left in the quarter. A back-and-forth finish to the period concluded with a layup by Carie Weinman at the buzzer that earned the Beacons a two-point advantage with a quarter of regulation left to play.

Multiple times in the final 10 minutes, Evansville looked to have grabbed control, holding four-point leads on more than one occasion, but the Beacons battled back from each. With 1:37 left in regulation, Feit knocked-down an important three that broke a tie and pushed Evansville in front 68-65. A bevy of missed opportunities for both sides unfolded in the final minutes with Valpo having possession with under 30 seconds left. The ball found Frederick on the right wing who drained a three to tie the game and send it to over time tied at 68.

Early in the overtime period, the Aces were able to drive to the basket and get to the free-throw line, where Evansville twice split a pair to hold a 70-68 lead. Shooting woes over the final five minutes would prove to be the difference as Valpo edged in front on a Frederick's free throws, holding on for the 75-70 win.

Evansville closes-out its three-game homestand on Sunday against Loyola at 1 PM for Senior Day as the Aces recognize a pair of senior student-athletes for their efforts.
 

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