Forward Nevaeh Thomas led the Purple Aces in three statistical categories
MURRAY, Ky. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team struggled to keep up with the Murray State Racers’ physical play in an 85-59 loss.
Freshman forward Neveah Thomas led the Aces in almost every statistical category on Friday night with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high four assists. UE led for the first quarter in their penultimate road game of the season but couldn’t hang on in the following 10 minutes. Three Evansville players ended the night in double figures as Thomas, guard Kynidi Mason Striverson, and forward Maggie Hartwig all had 10+ point games.
The Aces got to a hot start with an early three from guard Lexie Sinclair. Buckets from outside the arc kept UE in front early as it was an even game in the paint between the two teams. Evansville’s largest quarter lead came only three minutes into the game with a six-point advantage. Murray State responded with a brief run but a free throw and a third three from guard Kynidi Mason Striverson had the Aces back up by four. The quarter ended with traded shots until UE had back-to-back field goals in the final minute to head into the second quarter up by five.
Evansville got the first points in the second as well, making it a seven-point lead for the team’s largest of the half. But the Racers began to find their shooting outside the arc, making two threes in 30 seconds to cut the lead down to only one. The lead was traded twice before Murray State ended the half on a 14 to two run putting the Aces at an 11-point deficit.
Guard Julia Palomo had the first bucket of the second half to make it a single-digit game again. The Racers were able to respond with a three and a layup to make it a 14-point game. UE put together a four-point run to get back within 10 before the teams traded points for a minute. Murray State had another quick run that ended with Evansville’s last four points of the quarter from forward Maggie Hartwig. The third ended with a six-point Racer run, making it a 20-point game.
The Aces got most of their early points in the fourth quarter at the line, going four of four in the first two minutes. UE picked up its first field goal of the final frame at 6:19 from Thomas in the paint. The teams mostly traded points down the stretch as Murray State held onto a 20+ lead the entire quarter. Â Evansville ended the game at the line as Mason Striverson split free throws for the 85-59 final.
The Aces will play their final road game of the season on Sunday afternoon in the Music City. UE visits Belmont for a 1 p.m. tip-off on Sunday, March 3.
