Six University of Evansville women’s basketball players scored double figures in the Purple Aces’ 97-53 exhibition victory over Berea College on Saturday afternoon. Redshirt junior forward Ashley Hawkins totaled 11 points and 12 rebounds in just 15 minutes of play.
“We had an opponent in Berea that challenged us, competed for 40 minutes and that is going to make us better,†said Evansville head women’s basketball coach Oties Epps. “We played a lot of different kids and a lot of different lineups and we are very excited with our preparation for the season opener.â€
Berea began the game by scoring the first five points but Evansville answered with five of the next eight points to tie the contest.
Even at eight, UE ended the opening quarter on a 19-0 run. The Aces continued the stretch to 23 consecutive points in the second quarter, building a 59-21 lead at halftime.
Hawkins tallied eight points in the second quarter, cumulating nine points and eight rebounds prior to halftime. Junior guard Laura Friday held a game-high 12 points at the break, scoring all of her points on long distance shots.
“Three-point shooting is my role so I just practice every day,†said Friday who finished with 15 points. “I just hit the open shot when I had it and I want to star in my role for this team.â€
The Evansville lead never dipped below 34 points in the second half and the advantage grew as large as 48 points mid-way through the third quarter.
UE completes the preseason with two victories and no defeats.
Freshman forward Kerri Gasper netted 15 points as well. Freshman guard Jordan Campbell and junior guard Sara Dickey each tallied 11 points. Junior guard Camary Williams also reached double figures with 10 points. All 12 Purple Aces who played scored at least two points each.
The Aces begin the 2015 season at Xavier (Nov. 14). Evansville’s home opener is against Murray State (Dec. 5).
