Aces recognize four players on Senior Night
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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Four seniors were honored on Wednesday evening as the University of Evansville men’s basketball team wrapped up its home slate with an 85-67 loss to Indiana State. Prior to the game, Gage Bobe, Kenny Strawbridge Jr., Antonio Thomas and Yacine Toumi were recognized before giving speeches after the contest.
Evansville was led by Kenny Strawbridge Jr., who scored 14 points while recording 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. Tanner Cuff and Gage Bobe finished the night with 10 points apiece. Robbie Avila led Indiana State with 35 points and 8 boards.
Bobe knocked a triple for UE’s first points of the night to make it a 3-3 game. Ben Humrichous’ first basket of the night got UE within a point at 8-7 just over three minutes into the game before a layup by Kenny Strawbridge Jr. tied the score at 9-9. Indiana State took control at that point, going on an 18-2 run to open a 27-11 lead with an even 11 minutes on the clock. ISU hit four out of five 3-point attempts during the run.
Cam Haffner knocked down a jumper on the ensuing UE possession and that was the first of an Aces run that got them right back into the game. Over the next six minutes, the Aces outscored the Sycamores by a 16-1 margin to cut the deficit to just one. ISU missed nine shots in a row as Evansville made its comeback. Haffner connected from downtown to get UE back within single digits at 27-18 with just over nine minutes remaining in the half.
Antonio Thomas converted a 3-point play during the run before his drive to the basket at the 5:03 mark made it a 28-27 game in favor of the Sycamores. Over the final minutes, ISU regrouped to open a 40-31 halftime lead.
Bobe had the hot hand early in the second half, converting a 4-point play before adding a triple at the 14:59 mark to cut the ISU lead to 50-45. ISU slowly took control, beginning with a 7-0 run that pushed the lead back into double figures. Their advantage reached 20 for the first time with just over five minutes remaining before they finished the night with the 85-67 decision.
Yacine Toumi had a strong effort, registering 9 points and a team-high 8 caroms. Ben Humrichous and Antonio Thomas completed the game with 7 points apiece.
ISU shot 50.8% on the night with UE shooting 38.3%. The Sycamores out-rebounded the Aces by a 39-30 final. Sunday’s regular-season finale at Belmont is set to tip at 4 p.m. CT.
