Aces finish non-conference season with 11-2 mark
 Three players scored 19 points as the University of Evansville men’s basketball team wrapped up its regular season non-conference schedule with a 91-70 victory over Alabama A&M on Tuesday night at the Ford Center.
D.J. Balentine, Jaylon Brown and Egidijus Mockevicius finished with 19 points apiece to lead the Purple Aces (11-2). Brown’s total was the best of his career, eclipsing the 17 points he had five days ago against Norfolk State. In just 24 minutes of action, Mockevicius totaled 19 points and 18 rebounds. Balentine’s finish came on a night where he was recognized for scoring his 2000th point last week.
Combined, the three hit 21 out of 30 shots as the Aces shot 66.7% as a team. Adam Wing finished the game with nine points while Blake Simmons notched a career-best 8 assists.
“This is big for us,†Brown said. “To finish with a win is great for our mind set going into conference play.â€
Ladarius Tabb led Alabama A&M (4-4) with 30 points on a 12-of-22 shooting night. Nicholas West finished with 19.
“Our guys were really unselfish, passing up good shots to get better shots,†head coach Marty Simmons said.
Evansville scored the first seven points of the game, hitting 3 of its first 4 shots while holding Alabama A&M to 0-5 in the opening minutes. A free throw by Egidijus Mockevicius gave UE its first double figure lead at 14-4 before the Bulldogs fought back.
Back-to-back triples saw them cut the lead to seven at 21-14 at the 11:56 mark. Evansville grabbed the momentum right back, finishing the half on a 26-13 run to take a 47-27 lead into the break. As a team, UE shot 63% in the first half while Mockevicius had 13 points and 14 rebounds in just 14 minutes of play.
It was all Aces in the second half as they led by as many as 29 points before clinching the 21-point win. Evansville outrebounded Alabama A&M by a 37-25 final as Mockevicius led the way with 18.
Next up for the Aces is Indiana State as they open Missouri Valley Conference play on December 30. It will be West Side Night with the Aces as vouchers for $5 tickets are available at several locations West Side locations. There will also be recognition for Logan’s Promise.
