EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Indiana State shot 48.3 percent from the floor backed by three players in double figures to lead them to a series sweep of Evansville with a 71-53 victory on Friday evening inside Ford Center.. Indiana State moves to 17-10 overall and 7-9 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Indiana State sweeps the season series for the first time since 2011-12. They were paced by 14 points, six rebounds and two steals from redshirt junior Cierra Ceazer. A total of 10 different players scored for Indiana State on the night including 30 points from the bench. 

Senior forward Jasmine Grier (13 points) and senior guard Travecia Franklin (10 points) also notched double figures.

As a team, the Sycamores outrebounded the Purple Aces (11-16, 6-10 MVC) 39-25 and dished out a combined 16 assists. Franklin added a game-high five assists along with two steals while senior forward Racheal Mahan came off the bench for a team-high nine boards.

With the win, Indiana State head coach Joey Wells now holds the most wins for a first year head coach with 17 in his rookie season.

Senior forward Chelsea Small added nine points while Mahan also added seven in action off the bench. Redshirt sophomore Joyea Marshall also contributed eight rebounds and three assists.

With the starting five going scoreless for the first 3:38 of action, Evansville capitalized and opened up the contest with an 8-0 lead. A fresh five sparked a 7-0 run with Marshall and Ceazer off the bench, making it a one point game.

Haskins picked up the loose ball for the triple making it 12-10 but Evansville went on another 7-0 run just after the under 12 media timeout.

But that's when the Sycamores' offense went on a 13-0 run, fueled by 3-pointers from Newbolt and Grier. Indiana State started the ball game on a 6-for-6 performance from behind the arc.

Indiana State held a 32-21 advantage at the break as neither team hit a basket in the final 2:45 of the opening period.

Second half play opened up with a 3-pointer from Small and jumper from Franklin. They led by as many as 22 in the contest after Ceazer made a move in the lane with 12:55 to play.

The Purple Aces wouldn't get any closer than a 13 point margin as the clock wound down on the game after Mallory Ladd found the back of the net with 4:33 left in the contest. 

The Sycamores pushed its offensive dominance late, going on a 13-5 run to close the game and secure the victory. 

Indiana State returns home to close the regular season on Thursday and Saturday against Missouri State and Wichita State. Tip vs. the Bears is at 7:05 p.m. ET and Senior Day festivities get underway Saturday at 2:05 p.m. ET.

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.