St. Louis – The Evansville Aces led by as many as 21 points and would have to hold off a late run from Indiana State to pull off an opening round 83-72 win.
The 8th seeded Aces got the fifth-straight 20+ point game from MVC leading scorer Jaylon Brown, finishing with 27 and eight rebounds. Evansville’s Duane Gibson filled up the stat sheet as well scoring 20 points while grabbing eight rebounds and recording four assists, three steals, and two blocks. The Aces shot 47.3% for the game while holding Indiana State to just under 34% shooting, including 7-for-33 in the first half (21.2%).
Indiana State was paced by Brenton Scott who poured in 17 for the Sycamores who exit Arch Madness in the first round for the third straight season.
Evansville will face top-seed Illinois State on Friday with tip-off set for noon. The Redbirds, who many feel need to make a run to at least the championship game to make the NCAA Tournament, dispatched the Aces in both meetings this season, winning by double figures each time.
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