Outstanding River City Classic

UE and USI Put on a Show

(Evansville, IN) – Saturday night in Evansville was special. The outstanding River City Classic fulfilled all the dreams of the local organizers and the ‘city fathers’. The rivalry game between the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana provided all you could want.

Before the teams took the floor, there was a buzz in the Ford Center. What would turn out to be a lower bowl, completely filled arena of 6,322 fans were hyped early and all the way through the overtime victory secured by the Purple Aces. 78-76 was the final, but the real winner was the community.

This game had nineteen lead changes, spectacular point guard play, gut-check, game changing three-point-plays and amazing in-game activities put together by organizers. We have advocated for this game since USI made the move to Division 1 and the Evansville Regional Sports Commission made this an amazing signature moment for the River City.

Executive Director Brandon McClish turned a nice idea into something truly special. Time out events were fun and engaging. The fans could participate from pre-game introductions all the way to UE fans storming the court.

Outstanding River City Classic – The Game

This game was tight throughout the entire forty-five minutes. Neither team ever led by more than 8 points and two brilliant point guards put on elite-level ‘floor general’ performances.

USI’s Afan Trnka scored 22 points, grabbed four rebounds and handed out four assists. UE sophomore Bryce Quinet finished with 23 points and seven helpers. But there were other, bright-shining stars.

After being shut out during the first half, Evansville’s A.J. Casey scored 19 second half and overtime points. Casey grabbed eight rebounds and handed out four assists. USI’s Kaden Brown tallied 17 points including huge second half triples.

While trailing by three points, Casey missed a three-point try with 15 seconds left and freshman guard Caden Symons swooped in, grabbed the offensive rebound and fed sophomore Max Langenfeld for the game-tying triple.

 

During overtime, the final lead change came with 1:49 left in the extra session. USI led by one point, and Quinet had fouled out and Symons found Langenfeld for another long-distance dagger. That bomb put the Aces up 76-74. Casey and freshman Aaron Gutman each made a singular free throw and UE’s defense held on for the win.

The Event

Evansville coach David Ragland was thrilled with the victory and praised the Ford Center event.

“The atmosphere was electric,” said Ragland. “The city needed it and both schools needed it. Credit everyone that was a part of this. Just walking into the gym today for shoot arounds, it was hard for me to not show how excited I was. It was a first class event.”

USI head coach Stan Gouard says the River City Classic was like a conference tournament game and needs to be an annual event.

“Evansville they supported it and did what we thought they’d do,” said Gouard. “I think this is an event that we have to do again. The city needs this. A lot of people that were here, we appreciate their support, but the people that weren’t here, they missed out on a great game tonight.”

Swim teams from both universities showed up in their swim suits and participated in a mattress race. After the final horn, those UE swimmers led the court-storming festivities.

 

 

Neither of these teams looked like teams that only won seven games last season. There were missed free throws and some costly turnovers, but each looked the part of truly competitive teams. This River City Classic could catapult both programs to greater things.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of A.J. Casey courtesy of gopurpleaces.com