Final Score: Evansville 85, Southern Illinois 68

Evansville, IN (Sports Network) - Colt Ryan scored 26 points for the Evansville Purple Aces as they earned a Missouri Valley Conference victory over the Southern Illinois Salukis, 85-68, at the Ford Center.

Ryan was 8-of-13 from the field and grabbed six rebounds with six assists for Evansville (9-6, 2-1 MVC), which won its second in a row. Three other Purple Aces scored in double-figures including Ned Cox (17 points, five assists), Lewis Jones (11 points), and Troy Taylor (10 points, seven rebounds, six assists).

Jeff Early recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Salukis (7-7, 0-3), who lost their fourth game in as many outings. Anthony Beane contributed 15 points while Desmar Jackson managed 10 points off the bench.

Evansville led 37-31 at the break after shooting 53.8 percent from the floor in the first half.

In the second half the Purple Aces outscored the Salukis 48-37 while shooting 61.5 percent from the field and knocking down 6-of-9 three-point attempts.

Evansville outscored Southern Illinois 36-26 inside the paint and outrebounded the Salukis 31-24.