TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Senior forward Racheal Mahan nearly matched a career-high with 24 points as Indiana State used a strong second half to defeat Evansville, 67-52, at Hulman Center on Sunday afternoon. The Sycamores improve to 14-6 overall and 4-5 in Missouri Valley Conference action.

Mahan went 10-for-13 from the floor in the win, also grabbing five rebounds and a steal. Senior forward Jasmine Grier also chipped in 11 points including three 3-pointers and a team-high seven rebounds. Grier also contributed an assists, steal and block while sophomore forward Rhagen Smith also added a career-high nine points off the bench.

Indiana State used one of its best offensive performances of the season with a 43.6 percent clip from the floor, including a 54.2 mark in the second half. They also used its second-best point total with 67 points as 10 different players scored points and nine had at least one rebounds. 

ISU also took care of the ball in the win, combining for just six team turnovers which tied its lowest output since March 15, 2013. The Sycamores also moved the ball well, as it led to 15 assists including a career and single-game season high six from junior guard Alexis Newbolt who made her first collegiate start.  

Evansville also turned the ball over 15 times as Indiana State picked up nine steals led by senior guard Chelsea Small's four to go along with two blocks.

Grier, making her first start since the season opener, drained a triple to open play. Indiana State extended their lead to as many as six after Franklin found Mahan open on the block to lead 11-5.

Playing a tight first half, offense fell into a lull in Hulman Center as neither team scored for nearly five minutes as the frame came to a close.

Grier ended the scoring drought as the Sycamores broke through the Purple Aces' press for a breakaway layup. Redshirt sophomore Joyea Marshall capped off the half on a buzzer beating 3-pointer on a dish from Newbolt to give ISU a 25-23 lead.

The Sycamores' offense dialed up in the second half, going for 42 points and led by as many as 24 with 3:34 to play. ISU separated itself with a 9-2 run in the early going of the second half, which forced a UE timeout.

Back-to-back baskets by Evansville got them within six but Smith drained a 3-pointer from the left wing to put ISU back up 10 and a lead they would not relinquish on.

Indiana State hits the road to being its second go around at conference play with a trip to Bradley and Loyola on Friday and Sunday. Both games will be heard live on 1230 AM WIBQ.

For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Basketball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.