  The University of Evansville women’s basketball team will hope its return to the Ford Center will be just as successful as it’s last home game as the Purple Aces are set to host Illinois State on Friday night and Indiana State on Sunday morning.
The Aces (2-16, 1-5 Missouri Valley) are coming off a three-game road swing that ended with a close loss to Wichita State last Sunday. However, the last time UE stepped off the floor at the Ford Center, it was following a 62-46 victory over Bradley earlier this month.
The game against Bradley ranks as one of the top performances by the Aces this season as both Sara Dickey and Sasha Robinson led the assault on the Braves. Dickey, who currently ranks fourth on UE’s all-time scoring list, had 23 points in the contest, and Robinson registered her first double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and pulling down 14 rebounds.
Kenyia Johnson, who filled up the stat sheet on the Bradley game with eight points, five assists and five rebounds, carried over her effectiveness into the road schedule, highlighted by an 8-for-9 showing with 18 points and five assists in the loss at Wichita.
Meanwhile, Illinois State (4-14, 2-5 MVC) enters the weekend after racking up its second conference victory of the season, beating Bradley 54-49. The Redbirds’ only other conference win was a 70-49 decision over Wichita State. The Aces have won four consecutive games over the Redbirds, which includes a 55-51 victory in the first round of last season’s Valley tournament.
Indiana State, which will take on Southern Illinois on Friday, is riding back-to-back victories over Loyola and Bradley, and the Sycamores will be looking to build on their 8-10 record, which includes a 4-3 mark in Valley play. Indiana State took home both meetings against UE last season.
Tipoff on Friday night is set for 7 p.m.
