ISU Sycamores catch fire, defeat Evansville 81-67

TERRE HAUTE, IN (2-12-2005) – In a game where all five Sycamores starters scored in double figures, the Indiana State men's basketball team defeated Evansville 81-67 on Saturday (Feb. 12) afternoon in front of 3,970 at the Hulman Center. The 81 points set a new season-high for the Sycamores and the win improves ISU's record to 9-16 (4-10 MVC). Evansville drops to 10-12 (4-10 MVC).

The Purple Aces held a 30-26 advantage with 2:40 remaining in the first half after Eric Ottens knocked down a wide-open three pointer. The Sycamores responded by holding the Aces scoreless the rest of the half, leading to a 10-0 run to close out the period and go into the locker room with a 36-30 lead.

Evansville came out of the break with a run of their own, and tied the game at 37-37 when Matt Webster hit a lay-up for the Purple Aces. After both teams traded baskets, Gabriel Moore drove to the hoop only to be fouled by UE's Justin Petty. Moore stepped to the charity stripe and knocked down both free-throws to put ISU up by two (41-39). David Moss followed with a jumper and Moore hit a wide-open three-pointer to extend the lead to 46-39. Evansville closed the lead to five points, but never got any closer as the Sycamores finished with the 14 point win.

David Moss led the way for ISU with 24 points. The Chicago, Ill. native finished the game shooting 6-of-9 from the field and tied a career-high with 12 made free throws. Moore chipped in 14 points and seven assists. Eric Gray ended with 12 points, while Amani Daanish and Jerod Adler each added 11.

Matt Webster finished as Evansville's leading scorer with 14 points. Webster shot 50 percent from the field (5-of-10) and hit 2-of-6 three-pointers. Bradley Strickland added 12 points for the Purple Aces and Lucious Wagner chipped in 11.

ISU finished the game 24-of-46 (.522) from the field, helped by a 63 percent (12-of-19) shooting percentage in the second half. Evansville made of 25-of-57 (.439) for the game. The 28 made free throws and the 35 free throw attempts by the Sycamores were the most since a 76-57 victory over Eastern Illinois on December 4, 2004.

The Trees will return to the friendly confines of the Hulman Center when they host SMS on Tuesday (Feb. 15). 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 Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 5:40 p.m., CST (6:40 p.m., EST) with the tip-off set for 6:05 p.m., CST (7:05 p.m., EST) on www.USA-365.com.

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