CARBONDALE, Ill. (Interstat) — Camryn Runner scored 26 points as the Evansville women’s basketball team held off Southern Illinois 75-70 on Thursday night at SIU Arena. The Purple Aces, who led by as many as 11 in the second half, withstood a late push from the Salukis. Runner, who added five assists and three blocks, made five free throws in the final 25 seconds to secure the road victory. Jeniah Thompson led Southern Illinois with 19 points. Evansville improved to 4-11 overall. Southern Illinois fell to 3-11.

CARBONDALE, Ill. (Interstat) — In a Missouri Valley Conference women’s basketball game defined by gritty defense and a decisive third-quarter swing, the Evansville Purple Aces edged the Southern Illinois Salukis 75-70 on Thursday night at SIU Arena. The game, played before an announced crowd of 291, saw Evansville improve to 4-11 overall, while Southern Illinois fell to 3-11. The most critical phase of the contest unfolded in the third quarter. Southern Illinois, trailing by just two points at halftime, saw its offense stagnate completely. The Salukis managed only 15 points in the period on 5-of-18 shooting from the floor, coupled with five turnovers. Meanwhile, Evansville found its rhythm, erupting for 22 points. The Purple Aces shot 50% in the quarter, led by Camryn Runner’s nine points, and turned a narrow 32-30 halftime deficit into a 54-47 lead heading into the final frame. That seven-point cushion proved vital, as Southern Illinois would get no closer than three points the rest of the way. Runner, a 5-foot-8 guard from Cicero, Indiana, was the game’s standout performer, leading all scorers with 26 points. She added five assists and three blocks in 39 minutes of action, consistently making plays in crucial moments. Her backcourt mate, Sydney Huber of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, provided crucial support with 15 points and three assists. Georgia Ferguson, a 6-3 forward from Waterloo, Canada, added 10 points for Evansville. Southern Illinois was led by Jeniah Thompson’s 19 points, while Karris Allen of Sikeston, Missouri, came off the bench to contribute 15 points. Tkiyah Nelson of St. Louis filled the stat sheet with eight points, six assists and three steals for the Salukis. Statistically, the game was a battle of contrasting strengths. Southern Illinois dominated several categories, out-rebounding Evansville 45-34, including a 12-6 advantage on the offensive glass. The Salukis also dished out 12 assists to Evansville’s four and recorded 12 steals, forcing 17 Purple Aces turnovers which they converted into 16 points. Southern Illinois also dominated points in the paint, 50-44. However, Evansville’s advantages proved more decisive. The Purple Aces were markedly more efficient from the perimeter, hitting 5 of 18 three-point attempts compared to a frigid 1-of-11 showing from deep by Southern Illinois. Evansville also shot a slightly better percentage from the free-throw line, making 14 of 19 attempts. Most importantly, Evansville’s defense, which registered five blocks and limited Southern Illinois to an offensive rating of 85.9 points per 100 possessions, generated just enough stops to secure the road victory. The first half was a tightly contested affair. Southern Illinois led 21-19 after a back-and-forth first quarter and extended its lead to 32-30 by halftime, thanks in part to 10 first-half points from Thompson. The Salukis’ defensive pressure caused problems, but they could not sustain it after the intermission. Evansville’s victory snapped a two-game skid in the series and provided a positive start to the conference slate. Southern Illinois, which entered the game as a slight favorite according to advanced metrics, was left to rue its cold shooting and the pivotal third-quarter lapse. Evansville travels to face Illinois State on Sunday. Southern Illinois will look to rebound at home against Valparaiso on Saturday.

Preview: Evansville at Southern Illinois in Missouri Valley Women’s Basketball CARBONDALE, Ill. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum to turn around difficult starts will meet Thursday when the Evansville Purple Aces visit the Southern Illinois Salukis in a Missouri Valley Conference women’s basketball game. The matchup at SIU Arena features programs with nearly identical records. Evansville is 3-11 overall, while Southern Illinois sits at 3-10. Both are looking for their first conference win after dropping their league openers last weekend. Evansville arrives with a boost of confidence after securing a 66-46 home victory over Valparaiso on Saturday, snapping a five-game losing streak. The Purple Aces will lean on guard Camryn Runner, who has been a consistent offensive catalyst. Over her last five games, Runner is averaging 16.6 points and 5.6 assists, including a 22-point, six-rebound, six-assist performance at Dayton on Dec. 21. Southern Illinois, conversely, is looking to halt a four-game skid, most recently a 91-64 loss at Northern Iowa. The Salukis have struggled offensively during the stretch, failing to reach 65 points in three of those losses. Forward Kayla Cooper, the team’s player to watch, scored 17 points in a loss at Drake on Jan. 2 but was held to 11 points against Northern Iowa. The Salukis will need a stronger defensive effort after allowing an average of 88 points in their last two contests. Containing Runner will be a primary focus. Evansville, which has lost all six of its true road games this season, hopes its recent defensive form carries over after holding Valparaiso to 46 points. History suggests a close game. Last season, the teams split their regular-season series, with each winning on its home court. Thursday’s contest is the first of two meetings this season. Evansville’s next game is Sunday at Illinois State. Southern Illinois hosts Valparaiso on Saturday.