Purple Aces top ISU Sycamores, 64-59

EVANSVILLE, IN (1-22-2005) – Evansville’s Matt Webster and Andre Burton combined for 30 points and 12 rebounds as the Purple Aces defeated Indiana State, 64-59, on Saturday (Jan. 22). With the score tied late in the game, Evansville’s Lucious Wagner knocked down a jumper in the lane to give the Aces a two-point lead (61-59) with 1:12 to play.

After the two teams held defensively, ISU came down the floor in the final seconds with a chance to tie or take the lead. Eric Gray’s three-point attempt from the right corner rimmed out with 17 seconds to play in the game. Evansville’s Drew Gore came up with the rebound and was fouled by ISU’s David Moss.

Gore missed the front end of the one-and-one foul, giving ISU the ball with 13 seconds remaining in the game. Moss attempted a back-door feed to Gabe Moore, but the ball was deflected and found its way into the hand of Webster who made one of two free throws to give the Purple Aces a thee-point (62-59) advantage with three seconds to play. The Sycamores attempted a half-court pass, but turned the ball over, before Andre Burton’s layup at the buzzer capped the scoring.

Gray came off the bench and paced the Sycamores with 13 points. Moss finished with 13, while Tyson Schnitker added 12 for the Trees. ISU finished the game shooting 47.8 percent (22-of-46) from the floor. The Trees enjoyed a 32-25 edge in rebounds, but committed 18 turnovers in the loss.

Webster led all scorers with 20 points, while Wagner added 12 for the Purple Aces. Burton scored 10 points, and hauled in six rebounds for Evansville (10-7, 4-5 MVC).

Indiana State (7-12, 2-6) hits the road to face the University of Northern Iowa on Wednesday (Jan. 26). Tip-off between the Sycamores and Panthers is set for 7:05 p.m. CST from the UNI-Dome. USA-365.com provides live Internet audio streaming with Brian Fritz providing the play-by-play and Jim Waugh with the color commentary. The pre-game show starts Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 6:40 p.m., CST (7:40 p.m., EST) with the tip-off set for 7:05 p.m., CST (8:05 p.m., EST) on www.USA-365.com.

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