EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the first time as Division I foes, the University of Evansville men's basketball team will face USI in Saturday's River City Classic at the Ford Center. Tip is set for 7 p.m. with ESPN+ and Purple Aces Radio Network having the broadcast.
Last Time Out
- A second-half surge led the Purple Aces to an 80-70 win over IU Kokomo in Monday's season opener
- UE trailed 42-34 at halftime before outscoring the Cougars by a 46-28 tally in the second half
- AJ Casey led all players with 19 points while Bryce Quinet had his first double-double with 10 points and 11 assists
Tying a Record
- Bryce Quinet matched the Purple Aces' Ford Center record with 11 assists in the opener versus IU Kokomo
- It was a career-high for Quinet and tied the arena record set by Duane Gibson, Dru Smith, and Leif Moeller
- Coupled with his 10 points, Quinet picked up the first double-double of his career
- In three exhibition games, Quinet led UE with 17.3 PPG including a game-high 25 points at Austin Peay
Big Start
- AJ Casey was the leading scorer in the season opener posting 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting; he added a game-high 8 boards
- He finished the 2025-26 season in one of the most exciting ways possible
- On Feb. 28, Casey's game-winning buzzer beater against Valpo was named one of the SportsCenter Top 10 plays
- Casey set his new career high with 37 points in the contest tying him for the third-highest point total by a UE player at the Ford Center; he matched his career mark with 11 boards for his second double-double
- He finished the season with multiple MVC stat rankings including scoring (11th-13.47 PPG), rebounding (6th-5.91 PPG), FG% (7th-51.1%), steals (10th-1.22/game), offensive rebounds (8th-1.94/game), defensive rebounds (9th-3.97/game), and minutes (13th-29.81/game)
Strong Debut
- In his first official game in an Evansville uniform, Makuei Riek scored 10 points while posting a career-high 5 steals
- Riek hit two triples while blocking two shots
- He averaged 13.0 PPG in three exhibition games including a 20-point outing vs. SEMO
Middle Man
- James Dyson-Merwe made his first collegiate start against IU Kokomo and set numerous career highs
- His highs including points (8), field goals (4), and minutes (22:27)
- As a freshman, his best game came against Belmont where he scored five points and grabbed 9 boards
Scouting the Opponent
- USI is an even 1-1 entering the River City Classic
- Following a 72-54 loss at Belmont, the Screaming Eagles took down Saint Mary-of-the-Woods by a final of 112-42
- LA Hayes paces the team with 10.5 PPG while Josiah Dunham and Kaden Brown average 9.5 and 9.0 PPG, respectively
- Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams has averaged 8.0 rebounds in the opening two contests
