Box Score NORMAL, Ill. - After a quick start, the University of Evansville women's basketball team made runs and challenged the No. 2 team in the MVC standings, ultimately falling on the road, 75-60, to Illinois State in Normal, Ill. on Friday night.

Helping to key Evansville's fast start, junior Je'Naiya Davis led the way for the Aces, scoring 11 of her 16 points in the first quarter and matching a career high with four triples on the night. Joining Davis in double-figures was A'Niah Griffin, who tied a season-best with 14 points, scoring nine in the fourth quarter. For the Redbirds, DeAnna Wilson led Illinois State in the scoring column with 19 points.

It was a fast start for Evansville. as the Aces returned to their three-point shooting ways. After a quick 3-0 lead for the Redbirds, Evansville went on a 14-2 run over a nearly five-minute span, powered by a pair of triples by Davis. Towards the end of the opening quarter, Illinois State began to chip away at Evansville's advantage, getting as close as four, but it was Davis who knocked-down another three, her third of the first quarter, that gave UE a 21-14 lead after one.

Illinois State's shooting woes were no more in the second quarter as the Redbirds battled back. After the Aces grabbed a 23-17 lead on a jumper by A'Niah Griffin, Illinois State used a 13-0 run amid a cold streak for the Evansville offense to take a 30-23 lead. The home side's advantage would grow as large as 11 with 1:13 left in the half, but the Aces worked back within single digits, getting a layup in the final seconds from Anna Newman to trail by just seven at 36-29.

Out of the break, Illinois State pushed its lead back to double-digits. The Redbirds lead grew as high as 15, but a small run late helped UE cut its deficit closer to single-digits at 59-46 going into the fourth. The Redbirds again opened the quarter building on its advantage, seeing it reach its highest point of the night at 17 with 5:57 remaining in the game. Evansville was not without a fight, working within 10 points on a free throw from Griffin with just over three minutes remaining. As the game closed, the Aces could not draw closer, falling 75-60 to the Redbirds.

Evansville hits the midway point of the three-game road trip when it travels to take on Bradley at 2 PM on Sunday afternoon in Peoria, Ill.
 

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