Evansville Stars Pave the Way

(St. Louis, MO) – Egidijus Mockevicius and D.J. Balentine shattered more barriers as Evansville defeated Bradley Tuesday night. Balentine scored 22 points and moved into fourth place on the Missouri Valley’s all-time scoring list and Mockevicius grabbed 17 rebounds and became Evansville’s all-time leading rebounder.

The MVC’s most dominant duo sparked the Aces to Tuesday’s 67 to 55 victory over the Braves (5-25, 3-14). Mockevicius recorded his nation leading 25^th double-double with 20 points to go with those 17 rebounds. The 6’10 senior’s career rebounding total of 1,202 is fifth best in league history. He trails Larry Bird by 45 rebounds for fourth place, a mark he could surpass some time at Arch Madness 2016.

Evansville (23-7, 12-5) has won four straight games and can finish no lower than third place in the Valley’s regular season standings. Marty Simmons squad forced 19 turnovers and came away with 10 steals.

Bradley received double figure scoring from three different freshmen. Callum Barker (14), Antoine Pittman (12) and Dwayne Lautier-Ogunley (11) turned the trick and another freshman, Luuk van Bree led the Braves with nine rebounds.

Bradley head coach Brian Wardle said Mockevicius is very difficult to stop, “He is so good at sealing, moving his feet and has soft hands, said Wardle. He just knows how to work his way around the paint and work his way around the rim.”

Bradley finishes the regular season Saturday at Indiana State and the Aces host Northern Iowa.

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