Hartwig sets a new career scoring high at Southern Illinois
CARBONDALE, Ill. – A 28-point fourth quarter almost earned the University of Evansville women’s basketball team a comeback against Southern Illinois.
The Purple Aces ended up three points shy of their first road win in a 72-69 loss at Southern Illinois. UE had two strong offensive quarters at the Banterra Center, but Evansville’s defense struggled to contain the Salukis from having two 20+ point quarters. Sophomore forward Maggie Hartwig (Sauk City, Wis. / Sauk Prairie HS) had the best scoring game of her career in Carbondale with 29 points while also having her sixth double-double with 10 rebounds.
Hartwig made the first bucket of the game on Friday, but SIU jumped out to a 10-point lead in the quarter. The Aces had an almost seven-minute scoreless streak that ended at the free throw line. UE was able to put together a 10-point run in the final three minutes of the quarter to tie the game up at 12 points apiece.
Evansville and the Salukis went bucket for bucket early in the second quarter, trading the lead five times. But it was Southern Illinois who put together multiple runs with a nine-point lead midway through the second. The Aces cut into SIU’s runs three times in the final four minutes of the first half but headed into the locker room down 33-24.
UE’s offense got the game back into single digits early in the second half. The Salukis returned to their double-figure lead midway through the third as Evansville struggled to put together a run. The Aces had only their second run of the quarter with four straight points out of the media timeout. But Southern Illinois closed out the third on a 9-1 run as UE trailed by 16 going into the final 10 minutes.
The fourth quarter began with the team’s trading shots for the first two minutes. Evansville put together three short runs to get its offense going again. The Aces then broke out on their best run of the game with 12 straight points, making it a one-point game with 1:37 left on the clock. UE got the ball back after forcing a Saluki turnover. But Evansville turned the ball over as SIU scored four points in the final 48 seconds for the 72-69 final.
Three Aces ended the night in double figures with Hartwig leading the way on her career-high night. Freshman Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind. / Hamilton Heights HS) had a 17-point night while senior guard Júlia Palomo (La Seu d’Urgell, Spain) scored 10 points. Friday was Palomo’s first double-figure game since Belmont and only her second of MVC play. Hartwig was the only UE player with 10+ rebounds against the Salukis, but Runner was just one shy with nine boards.
Evansville continues on the road over the weekend to Springfield, Mo. It will be the Aces’ last Valley game at Missouri State on Sunday, February 9. Tip-off from Great Southern Bank Arena is set for 2 p.m.
