Aces women’s basketball earns first home win against Lindenwood

The Purple Aces held the Lions to only seven points in the fourth quarter

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A second chance layup and two free throws sealed the win for the University of Evansville women’s basketball team on Saturday afternoon.

With coaches donned in festive apparel for the holiday season, the Aces beat the Lindenwood Lions 70-68 on Saturday. It was UE’s first home win of the 2023-24 season after three close attempts over the past month. Four players scored in double-figures while freshman forward Maggie Hartwig had her third double-double of the year.

“I’m really really proud of our resiliency,” said Head Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells following the win. “I wish we would stop digging ourselves such a big hole. But we’ve shown that we have the ability to get back in the game, so we don’t quit. Finally, we came out on the winning side of one of those close games. I’m proud of our girls and I’m proud of our fourth-quarter play to get the win,”.

Evansville started Saturday’s contest with a bang as guard Alana Striverson sunk a wide-open three for the early lead. The Lions matched the three seconds later, establishing the back-and-forth pace of the first quarter. A seven-point run midway through the first put UE down by six. But guard Madlena Gerke started to heat up, getting the offense going to only trail by four when the quarter ended.

The Aces retook the lead in the second quarter on a guard Julia Palomo’s first three of the day. But with 5:07 left in the first half, Evansville hit a cold shooting streak. UE didn’t make a basket for the next five minutes for a 12-point hole. A last-second layup from guard Kynidi Mason Striverson broke the Aces scoreless run to make it a 10-point game going into the second half.

It was another hot start to the second half for Evansville with five points in the first minute of play. The teams traded shots after the first 60 seconds as UE got back within five thanks to a three from guard Lexie Sinclair and free throws from Hartwig and Gerke. But the Aces’ shooting woes returned as Lindenwood broke out on a 10-point run for another double-digit deficit. With just under two minutes in the third Evansville trailed by 18 for its largest hole of the game. UE headed into the final frame with 16 points to make up in 10 minutes.

Momentum swung back in the Aces favor in the fourth quarter as Gerke hit a three to start a seven-point run. The Lions cut into the run with an attempt at the line but it didn’t slow down Evansville’s pace with two back-to-back field goals. Midway through the quarter layups were traded but a trey from Hartwig with five minutes on the clock began a 12-2 run.

Center Barbora Tomancova got the game within one for UE with an and-one opportunity at the line. While she missed the free throw, Hartwig fought two Lindenwood players for the offensive rebound to make the second chance layup to take the lead. The Lions tied the game back up with a free throw, but an identical opportunity came for Palomo with two seconds left. Palomo hit both shots from the charity stripe with ease, giving the Aces the 70-68 win.

Hartwig, Mason Striverson, Gerke, and Tomancova all had double-digit performances for Evansville on Saturday. Hartwig also led the team on defense with 12 rebounds and a steal. Tomancova was UE’s block leader with two while Gerke added her fifth of the season. The Aces also benefited from 17 assists and more second-chance points down the stretch.

It will be a quick turnaround for Evansville as they head up to Bloomington on Monday, Dec. 18. UE will face the no. 15 team in the nation in the Hoosiers on Monday night. Tip-off from Assembly Hall is set for 6 p.m. with the game to be broadcast on Big Ten+.