Evansville basketball focusing on the positives with MVC Tournament approaching

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EVANSVILLE — This appeared to be an opportunity for University of Evansville men’s basketball to make a statement.

In some ways, it did. The Purple Aces had the best team in the Missouri Valley Conference on the ropes. There were multiple chances in the final minute to tie or potentially win. Yet, the inconsistencies plauging the team remained.

More: Despite ‘frustrating’ season, USI basketball knows it’s better than what it has played

Drake clinched the outright MVC regular season championship with a 65-61 victory over UE on Wednesday at Ford Center. The Aces slip to ninth in the Valley with only a trip to Illinois State remaining this weekend. A pessismist views this result as another missed opportunity.

UE is choosing to see it differently with the postseason on the horizon.

“(This game) gives you an opportunity to know that you can beat anybody,” said UE coach David Ragland. “We do believe that. But it’s going to take a collective effort and being connected on both ends of the floor. We’ve shown we can beat anybody. We have to make it happen.”

Evansville’s Tanner Cuff (1) takes the shot as the Evansville Purple Aces play the Drake Bulldogs at Ford Center in Evansville, Ind., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.

Start with the good. Evansville (11-19, 8-11) was the better team for significant stretches of the second half. Trailing by 11 at the break, it briefly regained the lead with 9:33 remaining on a Tanner Cuff three-pointer. The Aces also didn’t allow the Bulldogs, one of the best mid-majors in the country, to pull away.

Tayshawn Comer had a game-high 20 points. Cuff added 14 points, four rebounds and three assists.

“I think this gives us confidence that we can play with any team,” said Cuff. “If we get hot, we can win some games (in the MVC Tournament). I’m hoping we can keep the momentum going into Illinois State. We still have one more game.”

UE still remains susceptible to wild extremes. The 10-0 run to start the second half was a counter to a 16-4 Drake spurt. Late-game…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/evansville-basketball-focusing-positives-mvc-133318813.html

Author : The Courier & Press

Publish date : 2025-02-27 13:33:00

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