Aces Continue Cinderella Run with OT Win Over Illinois State to Reach MVC Title Game

Evansville becomes first 10 seed to reach MVC Championship, will face top-seeded Murray State on Sunday

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:26am

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The University of Evansville women's basketball team continued their improbable run through the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament on Saturday night, downing 3-seeded Illinois State in overtime, 75-70. Evansville advances to Sunday's championship game for the first time since 2009 and will take on top-seeded Murray State at 1 PM at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa for a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Why it matters

With the win, Evansville becomes the first 10 seed to ever reach the MVC Championship. The win also marked the Aces' first over the Redbirds since 2017, snapping an 18-game losing streak.

The details

Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind./Hamilton Heights) was outstanding once again for the Aces, scoring a game-high 24 points while adding six rebounds and five assists. Runner wrote her name in the UE history books in the win, breaking Evansville's single-season records for points (625), assists (184) and free throws (216). The game was tightly contested throughout, with the lead changing hands multiple times before Evansville pulled away in overtime.

  • The Aces jumped out to an early 8-2 lead in the first two minutes of action.
  • Evansville took a 27-23 lead into halftime.
  • Illinois State took a 42-41 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
  • The game went to overtime tied at 60-60.
  • Evansville will face Murray State on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 1 PM.

The players

Camryn Runner

A standout player for Evansville, she scored a game-high 24 points while adding six rebounds and five assists. Runner broke Evansville's single-season records for points, assists and free throws in the win.

Georgia Cox

An Evansville player who hit a key three-pointer early in the game to help the Aces jump out to an early lead.

Elle Snyder

An Evansville player who also hit a three-pointer in the first quarter to contribute to the Aces' early lead.

Mireia Mustaros

An Evansville player who made a key and-one layup in the fourth quarter to put the Aces back in front.

Sydney Huber

An Evansville player who hit a deep three-pointer in the fourth quarter to extend the Aces' lead.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Evansville will take on top-seeded Murray State on Sunday in the MVC Championship Game, seeking their first MVC title and NCAA Tournament berth since 2009. Tip-off against the Racers is set for 1 PM.

The takeaway

Evansville's improbable tournament run as a 10 seed has captured the attention of basketball fans across the country, as the Aces look to complete their Cinderella story and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a win over Murray State on Sunday.