UE Lady Aces Advance, Face Drake in MVC Quarterfinals

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The 7th seeded University of Evansville women’s basketball team (12-18, 6-12) continues the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament on Friday, March 13 when the Purple Aces play the #2 seeded Drake Bulldogs. The MVC Tournament Quarterfinals is set for 6:05 p.m. CDT at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

UE is fresh off a 55-51 victory over Illinois St. in the opening round of the tournament on Thursday night. Forward Mallory Ladd totaled 27 points and 14 rebounds to full the Purple Aces win. Guard Sara Dickey added 15 points, 13 in the second half, in Evansville’s first MVC Tournament win since 2009. Ladd was 8-for-15 shooting in the game, going 5-for-7 beyond the arc and a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line. The Evansville native set a new career high with five made three pointers in the game and achieved her 20th career double-double at UE.

Guard Sara Dickey is also 2 points away from becoming the school’s single-season scoring record holder (Shyla Puelston with 574 points in 1998-99).

On the stat sheet, Evansville’s Dickey (19.1 points per game), and forward Mallory Ladd (14.8) are both averaging double figures. Dickey also has the most assists (70) as Hart has totaled a team-best with 49 steals for UE this year. Ladd is notching a team-high 0.9 blocks per game. Forward Sasha Robinson is securing 7.8 rebounds per game, a team-high. UE is averaging 62.0 points and 32.4 rebounds per game. The Aces make 39.4% of their field goals, 35.1% of threes, and 66.8% at the free throw line.

Drake (20-9, 15-3) has yet to play in the MVC tournament after earning a bye from the opening round. The Bulldogs have won back to back games entering this weekend, including a 74-70 overtime victory over Loyola their last time out.

Statistically, Wendell paces the Bulldogs offense with 22.1 points per game and defense with a team-high 59 steals. Guard Maddy Dean (13.4), forward Becca Jonas (12.3), guard Caitlin Ingle (11.3) and guard Maddy Dean (11.7) are all averaging double figure points per game as well. Jones also has a team-leading 9.1 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game. Drake averages 76.3 points and 42.1 rebounds per game. The Bulldogs shoot 44.7% from the floor, 33.8% from beyond the arc, and 71.0% at the charity stripe.

Evansville is projected to finish fourth in the MVC preseason poll, their highest projection since 2008-2009. Dickey was also named to the preseason All-Conference team. The Aces are guided by fourth year head coach Oties Epps. Dickey and Wendell were both named to the MVC preseason team, just a season after they both were named Co-Freshman of the Year in the MVC. The Aces are guided by fourth year head coach Oties Epps as the Bulldogs are led by third year head coach Jennie Baranczyk.

Drake holds a 33-13 edge over UE in the all-time series including a pair of wins this year.

Provided by University of Evansville Sports Information Department