TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The reigning MVC Player of the Week, Melanie Boeglin turned in another strong performance as she finished with 17 points to help the Indiana State women's basketball team to a 72-56 victory over intrastate foe Evansville on Saturday (Jan. 29) at Hulman Center. The Sycamores (12-6, 5-4 MVC) have now won four straight, while the win snaps Evansville's (12-6, 5-4 MVC) three-game winning streak.

The Sycamores were leading by six (41-35) after the first twenty minutes. Both teams came out of the lockeroom flat in the second half, as they combined to miss the first six shots after the intermission. The Purple Aces then hit two layups to cut the lead to two, ISU answered back by going on an 11-0 run. The teams went on to trade baskets for the next few minutes, before the Sycamores extended the lead to 18 (60-42) with ten minutes to play. The Purple Aces closed the gap to 12 points, but the Sycamores' defense tightened push the Trees to a 16-point victory.

Boeglin led all scorers as she finished the game on 4-of-11 shooting and 4-of-5 from the free throw line. Rachel Maenpaa came off the bench to score 15 points, missing only one shot (6-of-7) on the afternoon. Ashley Clark pitched in her third double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Nikki Hall was perfect from the field (3-of-3), adding nine points for ISU.

Megas Liffick finished as the Purple Aces' leading scorer with 14 points. Liffick ended the game shooting 4-of-8 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from behind the three-point arc. Laura Gaybrick scored eight points for Evansville, while three other Purple Aces each added six.

ISU held an advantage over Evansville in second-chance points (12-4) and points in the paint (38-32). The Sycamores finished the game shooting 48 percent (24-of-50), while the Purple Aces made 20-of-58 shots (.345) on the afternoon.

The Sycamores continue their five-game homestand on Friday (Feb. 4) when they host Creighton. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

GAME BOX SCORE