Indiana State sends Evansville to 16th straight loss

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Christian Williams had 16 points as Indiana State defeated Evansville 64-62 on Sunday, sending the Purple Aces to their 16th consecutive loss.

Tyreke Key had 12 points and six rebounds for Indiana State (16-11, 9-7 Missouri Valley Conference). Jordan Barnes added 10 points.

Evansville began the season with a monumental upset of No. 1 Kentucky, went through two coaching changes and has been winless in conference play. But it looked like the Purple Aces might get their first Missouri Valley Conference victory Sunday, holding a five-point lead with under three minutes left.

But a 7-0 run capped by Williams’ three-point play gave the Sycamores the lead with a minute to go. From there the teams exchanged free throws. With Evansville trailing 64-61, Shamar Givance went to the line with 1.7 seconds left and made the first free throw but didn’t hit the rim with an intentional miss on the second and the Aces were denied.

K.J. Riley had 15 points for the Purple Aces (9-20, 0-16). Evan Kuhlman added 11 points. Sam Cunliffe had seven rebounds. DeAndre Williams, who led the Purple Aces in scoring entering the contest with 16 points per game, made only 1 of 8 shots and finished with seven points.

Indiana State trailed 26-20 at halftime, a season low for the Sycamores.

The Sycamores improve to 2-0 against the Purple Aces this season. Indiana State defeated Evansville 65-42 on Jan. 15.

Indiana State plays Southern Illinois on the road on Wednesday. Evansville faces Northern Iowa on the road on Wednesday.