Final: Evansville 78, Southern Indiana 68. Overall, it was a tighter game than the final score indicated. The Eagles seemed to be more patient offensively as the game progressed. That led to its defense holding the Aces to just 30 percent shooting in the second half. Both teams were even in rebounding (eight offensive, 33 defensive for 41 total). USI wasn’t able to overcome its poor shooting in the first half. It often looked timid, compared to a more confident style of play in the second half. Preseason All-American Anna Hackert finished with a double-double of her own (18 points, 11 rebounds). Carpenter led the team with 20 points. Fun fact: there were a total of 51 fouls called during the game.
Media timeout left 4:23 in the second half: USI made it a four-point game to make a score of 61-57 after another three-pointer by Carpenter, who leads the team with 18 points. Mallory Ladd proved why she’s one of the best in the conference, quickly answering Carpenter with a three-pointer of her own. The Aces went on a 8-2 run off the back of Ladd, who finished the game with a double-double (21 points and 11 rebounds) before she fouled out. UE is on top 72-59.
Media timeout 8:16 left in the second half: The Aces poor shooting continues as they are now 4-for-21 (0-for-9 from three-point range) in the second half. The fouls keep coming, though, as both teams are now in the double-bonus. The ability to knock down free-throws could decide the outcome of the game. Stephanie Carpenter was 2-for-6 from the three-point range in the first half, but has hit a couple of big ones here down the stretch. She’s now in double-digits with 12 points. USI trails 58-51.
Media timeout left 11:05 in the second half: Neither team is able to get into much of a rhythm as the personal fouls are getting out of hand. Both teams are in the bonus and continue to trade baskets midway through the second half. USI has focused almost exclusively at pounding the ball inside to Hackert and O’Keefe, who have a combined 22 points. That has led to open looks for its outside threats. Stephanie Carpenter sunk a wide-open three to keep the game from getting out of hand. UE leads 52-42.
Media time out 15:47 left in the second half: The Eagles came out of halftime playing very good defense, holding the Aces to 0-for-6 from the field. USI continued to go back to its strength in the early parts of the second half. Hackert now has 13 points and seven rebounds for the Eagles. Following a UE turnover, Ariel Barnes raced down in transition and made a nice move coming off a ball screen to pull USI within 10. UE leads 46-36.
Halftime: USI trails 43-30. Anna Hackert leads the Eagles with nine points and six rebounds. The biggest takeaway for USI in the first half was its lack of perimeter shooting (3-for-15), despite getting several open looks. The Eagles poor shooting has led to the Aces getting out in transition and outscoring USI 8-to-2. UE’s Dickey, and USI’s Ladd, have 28 points. As a team, the Aces shot 46.9 percent from the field, including 5-for-11 from three-point range. Both teams are tied in rebounding with 20 a piece.
Media timeout 3:47 left in the first half: The Aces extend their lead to 13. USI started to full court press with about five minutes remaining in the half, which sped the pace up considerably and led to the offense finding a smoother rhythm. Unfortunately for USI, it also led to open looks for UE as well. Both teams are making good use of its time in the bonus — USI is 6-for-6 while UE is 7-for-7 from the line. Mary O’Keefe has five of the 11 USI turnovers. As a team, the Eagles have just one assist. UE leads 33-20.
Media timeout 7:51 left in the first half: The Eagles offensive struggle continues. USI is getting open looks beyond the arc, but so far are just 1-for-8. Hackert still paces USI with four points and five rebounds. Ladd converted a bucket and the foul to extend UE’s lead to nine. 18-9 Aces on top.
Media timeout 10:53 left in the first half: Turnovers are proving costly as we approach the midway point in the second half. The Aces have been ferocious on defense, forcing seven turnovers and are getting out in transition faster than the Eagles. Dickey converted a bucket and the foul to give the Aces a seven point lead. USI is one for its last six shooting – the only points were scored on a Stevenson mid-range jumper. UE leads 15-7.
Media timeout 15:40 left in the first half: The Aces have raced out to a 9-5 lead over the Eagles in the early stages of the first half. UE’s Sara Dickey scored the first five points of the game. Mallory Ladd forced a pair of turnovers from Mary O’Keefe. USI has yet to find a consistent rhythm offensively, shooting just 2-for-7 from the field. Both Carpenter and Miller have received good looks from the perimeter, but haven’t been able to connect. Hackert leads the Eagles with two points and four rebounds.
Starting lineups: USI G #12 Stephanie Carpenter, G #21 Autumn Miller, G #31 Jessica Parker, F/C #43 Anna Hackert, F/C Mary O’Keefe; UE G #12 Kat Taylor, G #4 Dakota Weatherford, G #24 Sara Dickey, F #54 Mallory Ladd, F #10 Sasha Robinson.