Fifth-largest Ford Center crowd on hand for MSU game

Aces drop 81-59 contest

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The fifth-largest crowd in University of Evansville men’s basketball Ford Center history was on hand Saturday as the Purple Aces squared off against Murray State.  A total of 7,928 fans were in attendance, surpassing the 7,801 who were inside the arena on Dec. 30, 2015 against Indiana State for the 5^thspot on the list.

Out of the gate Saturday, Murray State took control and led from start to finish, defeating the Purple Aces by a score of 81-59.  Four Evansville players registered double figures, led by Gage Bobe and Kenny Strawbridge Jr.  Bobe was a perfect 4-of-4 from outside while Strawbridge hit a total of five field goals.  Yacine Toumi and Antonio Thomas registered 10 apiece.  The Racers had five double digit scorers, led by Rob Perry’s 17 points.

“Credit Murray State – they have an experience team who has been there and done it all before.  They punched us in the mouth first.  Consistency was our word that we had this week and I felt like we were inconsistent in our habits today,” Purple Aces head coach David Ragland said.   “When you do not get back and allow 16 points in transition and give up 18 points off turnovers, that is 34 points that they had off of our habits.  We have done a pretty solid job this year of limiting points in the paint, but when you give up points in transition and turnovers, most of those will come in the paint.”

“Our entire program thanks our fans for the support.  I loved the crowd today and am regretful that we did not play the way we expected,” Ragland continued.  “It is not a matter of if, but when we revive this program.  That is the way we are built as a coaching staff and program.  We are not taking any shortcuts.  Our University and Athletics Department have really gotten behind us and the community has followed their lead.  This type of crowd will become the norm!”

Murray State posted the first four points of the day and would take an 8-3 lead.  Evansville uncharacteristically turned the ball over three times in the opening three minutes.  Chuck Bailey III scored UE’s first field goal on a nice feed from Sekou Kalle at the 15:40 mark before the Racers countered with a triple on the other end to make it an 11-5 game.

With 11 minutes left in the half, Kenny Strawbridge Jr. connected on a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 11-10, but it took just a few seconds for MSU to answer with a triple on the ensuing possession.  As the period reached the midway point, Murray State took its largest edge to that point – 18-10.  They continued to add to the lead as it reached double figures with six minutes on the clock at 22-12.

Inside the 5-minute mark, MSU extended the lead to as many as 12 before the Aces cut that down to 11 at halftime.  Murray State shot 36.4% in the half but turned 12 UE turnovers into 7 points in the period.

Kenny Strawbridge Jr. opened the second-half scoring as the deficit hovered around 10 points.  Yacine Toumi connected on a basket as the game reached the final 12 minutes to make it a 44-35 game.  Just when it looked like Evansville had momentum on its side, the Racers countered in a big way, going on a 17-0 run over the next three minutes as they converted five field goals in a row.  Gage Bobe drained a triple to put an end to the stretch with nine minutes left.

From there, the Racers pulled away for the 81-59 win.  MSU shot 60.7% in the second half and finished the game at 47.5%.  Evansville completed the day at 41.2%.

Evansville returns to the road on Wednesday for a road contest at Bradley.