Box Score

BOULDER, Colo. – In the first meeting ever between the University of Evansville women’s basketball team and the Eastern Washington Eagles, the Aces erased EWU’s 16 point first half lead to top the Eagles (1-5), 77-67, Saturday evening at the University of Colorado’s Coors Events Center. The Aces (3-2) placed third in the Omni Hotels Classic, with sophomore Samantha Heck earning all-tournament honors. Heck broke the tournament’s field goal percentage record, shooting 43.3 % (13-of-17) over the course of the two days, and made 7-of-7 in the win, tying the tournament’s single-game field goal percentage record.

Heck scored the Aces’ first three baskets, as Evansville made its first five shots of the game. With an 11-7 lead after sophomore Meagan Collins’ layup at the 15:54 mark, the Eagles went on a 9-0 run to take a 16-11 lead.

The Aces chased the Eagles for much of the half, getting within one on a layup by Collins at 11:41, but EWU stretched its lead to 16 (37-21) on a 17-2 run, capped by Aubrey Ashenfel’s layup with 5:21 remaining.

Sophomore Taylor Ware stepped up in the final minutes of the half, hitting four free throws, as the Aces scored eight straight points before the Eagles’ Brianne Ryan made layup sent the teams into the half, with EWU leading, 44-34.

Evansville lost the battle of the boards, 21-13, allowing EWU 12 offensive caroms in the first period.

After trading baskets for the first five minutes of the second half, the Aces went on a 16-3 run on a balanced attack. Briyana Blair tallied three layups in the run, while Collins and Heck added two, and freshman Khristian Hart tallied a bucket.

The Aces took the lead (52-51) for the first time since 3:32 minutes into the game on Heck’s hook shot in the paint at the 11:35 mark. The lead changed five times over the next six and a half minutes until UE was able to take control. Collins’ back-to-back baskets, followed by two free throws by Ware and Heck’s three from the top of the key gave Evansville a nine point lead (68-59) at the 3:47 mark.

The Eagles were forced to intentionally foul, and the Aces came up big at the charity stripe, as Staci Gillum and Jordan Lewis each knocked down four in the final minute to give the Aces the 77-67 victory.

Collins led the squad with a career-high 23 points, while Heck finished with 15. Blair also reached double figures, tallying 10, along with seven rebounds.

“We had a number of players step up and make shots for us when we needed them to tonight,” said Coach Misty Murphy. “It really displayed what a deep bench we have.” The Aces’ bench combined for 46 points.

Four Eagles reached double figures with Chene Cooper and Kyla Evans leading the way with 14 points.

The Aces are back in action Friday when they host Valparaiso in the first round of the Heritage Federal Credit Union Aces Classic presented by Dunn Hospitality. They will play at 7:30pm CST, following the contest between Coastal Carolina and Central Michigan at 5:00pm.