Aces improve to 2-0 for first time since 2019
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Fifteen University of Evansville men’s basketball players saw floor time and made their way into the scorebook as the Purple Aces tied the program Ford Center scoring record in a 116-46 win over UHSP on Thursday evening.
UE improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2019 with the victory. Six players reached double figures with the team doing an admirable job of spreading the ball around. Making his collegiate debut, Braylon Jackson led the squad with 14 points. Yacine Toumi totaled 13 while Chuck Bailey III added 12. Sekou Kalle and Ben Humrichous tallied 11 apiece and Tanner Cuff scored 10.
With a total of 65 rebounds, UE put forth its best-ever effort at the Ford Center, breaking the previous mark of 58 caroms against Mississippi Valley State in 2015. It marked the first time the Purple Aces had 60+ boards since totaling 61 versus SIU Edwardsville in 2008. Kalle had a game-high 9 rebounds.
“Going into this game, we talked about our discipline, emotion and maturity,†UE head coach David Ragland said.  “We have worked to get better every day in every category.  Those things are important; I was proud of our focus, attention to detail and preparation.â€
In the second half, Evansville’s walk-ons received added playing time and Ragland was proud of the effort from those guys.
“They work extremely hard and show up every single day in practice and do their job.  We love having them as part of the program.  Getting them into the game and showcasing what they have been working on is exciting.â€
Gage Bobe and Cam Haffner knocked down early 3-pointerss to help the team score the first 12 points of the game. The Aces connected on five of their opening eight attempts while the Eutectics were 0-for-6 to begin the game before hitting their seventh attempt.
Braylon Jackson made his first appearance in an Aces uniform and quickly found the scoreboard as he completed the first half with eight points. His first collegiate basket gave UE a 24-6 lead before Cam Haffner hit a layup to make it a 20-point game with 12:05 remaining in the period.
Evansville would push the lead to as many as 33 in the opening period before taking a 61-29 lead into the halftime break. Ben Humrichous led the way with nine points as all 10 players to see the floor in the half found their way into the scorebook. UE’s first-half tally was the first time the program recorded 60 points in a half since posting 62 against Earlham on Nov. 15, 2014.
Things continued to go Evansville’s way in the second half as the team reached triple digits for the first time since Nov. 22, 2021 when the team scored 104 against Rice. It was the first time the Aces reached the century mark at the Ford Center since dropping 101 on Miami Ohio on Dec. 7, 2019.
Multiple players made their first appearances this season in the latter stanza as Tyler Myers, Cameron Gehlhausen, Dakota Candler, Michael Day and Weston Aigner all saw extended playing time. Evansville pulled away to finish the night with a 116-46 victory.
Jas Suvalija and Brady Bowers led the Eutectics with 17 points each.
For the first time this season, the Aces take to the road when they head to Cape Girardeau on Wednesday to face Southeast Missouri State.
The Eagles play away at the fourth ranked Spartans and the Aces play at home against a school I had to Google to find that it’s a health science and pharmacy school? Something is amiss at UE, me thinks.
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