Hartwig sets season-high shooting percentage at Valparaiso
The Purple Aces outrebounded the Beacons for the second time this season
VALPARAISO, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team got back within single digits in the third quarter but couldn’t hang on for its first road victory in a 76-55 loss to the Valparaiso Beacons.
The Purple Aces offense struggled early and late in the game at Valparaiso after a promising third-quarter comeback. UE outscored the Beacons 20-13 in the third but only had eight points in the final 10 minutes on Friday night as the comeback slipped away. Evansville did excel under the glass in the loss, grabbing 38 rebounds to the Beacons’ eight.
It was a fairly even start to Friday’s game as the lead was traded four times in the first three minutes. The Aces kept things close in the first half of the quarter as Hartwig had seven of their first 10 points. But after the media timeout midway through the first, Valparaiso pulled away on an eight-point run to take an 11-point lead. UE offense went cold with just under 2:30 on the clock as they headed into the second quarter down 24-14.
Evansville’s offense continued to struggle early in the second quarter, not scoring for almost the first three minutes. With the Aces’ offensive drought, the Beacons added to their lead to make it 17 points early in the game. UE was able to find a response in the final three minutes of the first half, keeping Valpo scoreless from the floor for four and a half minutes. Evansville got the game within 11 points on an eight-point run, but a late foul let the Beacons bring their lead back up to 13.
The second half started similarly to the first as the teams traded baskets until Valpo put together a brief four-point run. After the short run ,the Aces were able to take over in the third quarter, outscoring the Beacons 20-13 with a 12 to five run. Despite trailing by almost 20 points in the first half, UE went into the final 10 minutes only down by six.
But a cold start to the fourth quarter had Valpo back to a double-figure lead as Evansville didn’t score until there was 6:38 on the clock. Hartwig broke the early scoring drought with her third trey of the night. But the Beacons responded with an 11-point run to take a 20-point lead with under five minutes to go. The Aces were able to add five points in the final four and a half minutes but ultimately fell to Valpo 76-55 at the ARC.
Hartwig had another big game against the Beacons for UE, leading the team with 24 points. She also had a season-high performance in terms of efficiency shooting 62.5% from the floor. Evansville’s only other player in double figures was freshman guard Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind. / Hamilton Heights HS) with 15 points. Hartwig also led the Aces on defense with 14 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the season.
UE continues its three-game road swings with another visit to Chicago this season. Evansville was in the Windy City right before Christmas to end the non-conference portion of the schedule at Loyola. This time the Aces will be visiting the west side of town to take on the UIC Flames on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off from Credit Union 1 Arena on the 23rd is set for 2 p.m.
