Three players score 20+ in UE women’s basketball win over SIUE
The Purple Aces are a perfect 3-0 at Meeks Family Fieldhouse
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The University of Evansville women’s basketball team had its highest scoring performance in an 87-74 win over SIUE.
In their return to Meeks Family Fieldhouse after 23 days away the Purple Aces had an explosive offensive performance. Senior guard Júlia Palomo (La Seu d’Urgell, Spain) put up a career performance with 26 points on 78.9% shooting. UE had two other 20+ point scorers against the SIUE Cougars in sophomore forward Maggie Hartwig (Sauk City, Wis. / Sauk Prairie HS) and freshman guard Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind. / Hamilton Heights HS).
“It’s always good to get back on a winning track and get a good home win,” said Head Coach Robyn Scherr after the game. “Of course, every coach has things they want to clean up. But I was really really proud of it and how we played overall. Julia Palomo had a big night. She’s our senior steady guard. She’s having such a good season. A lot of times it doesn’t show up in a wow way on the stat line. But I was excited for her that it was a fairly big wow game for her in only missing two shots.”
Evansville took the lead in the first minute and a half and only trailed two other times over 40 minutes. In the first quarter, the Aces began with a six-point run while ending the quarter with seven points back-to-back. Two made free throws in the final seconds for
Runner had UE in front by two after 10 minutes of play on 77.8% shooting.
Runner had UE in front by two after 10 minutes of play on 77.8% shooting.
Both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter of Sunday’s game. Only 10 points were scored in the first five minutes between either team as they traded made baskets. But Evansville broke out on an 11-5 run to end the half leading 38-30.
The second half of the game started with a back-and-forth pace in the first four minutes. The Aces led by as many as 11 in the third quarter but saw their lead shrink to six with under five minutes. UE was able to respond in the final four minutes of the frame with three made three-pointers and two trips to the free-throw line. Palomo made two treys in the third to get Evansville’s lead up to 15. SIUE made a three to end the quarter as the Aces headed into the fourth leading 59-47.
UE’s double-digit lead was cut into to start the final quarter as the Cougars made back-to-back shots. Evansville countered by getting into the lane, growing the lead to 14 in three and a half minutes. The teams traded shots until SIUE had a three-pointer and a free throw. The game’s final three minutes were spent mostly at the charity stripe as the Aces made 10 free throws. Palomo had the statement play to end the game with two straight fast-break layups with 48 seconds left on the clock. UE beat the Cougars 87-74 after 40 minutes in Meeks Family Fieldhouse.
Along with a career-high offensive performance, Palomo led the team in steals with three. Runner led Evansville on defense, grabbing seven rebounds along with a 21-point performance with 16 made free throws. Hartwig had 24 points for the Aces on offense with six rebounds and drawing eight fouls from SIUE. Freshman guard/forward Elle Synder (Latrobe, Penn. / Greater Latrobe HS) made her collegiate debut against the Cougars for UE while adding six points, five rebounds, and an assist.
Evansville will play its only Power 4 opponent for its next game on Saturday, December 14th. The Aces head to Nashville for the second time this season to play the Vanderbilt Commodores. UE returns to Memorial Gymnasium for the first time in 30 years next weekend with tip-off set for 2 p.m.
