MVC: Evansville cruises to 68-42 win over Indiana State

ST. LOUIS -- D.J. Balentine had 14 points and Blake Simmons added 13 as Evansville beat Indiana State 68-42 on Saturday in preparation to face Northern Iowa in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship game Sunday.

Evansville has the No. 2 seed but Northern Iowa (21-12), seeded fourth, knocked off No. 1 seed Wichita State 57-52.

Balentine had two steals and dished out six assists. Jaylon Brown had 11 points and five assists, and Mislav Brzoja added 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Evansville (25-8).

The Purple Aces shot 41 percent from the floor while limiting Indiana State to 14-of-55 shooting. The Sycamores were just 1 of 16 from beyond the arc.

Evansville, which never trailed, was up 37-22 at the break, pushed that to 57-33 midway in the second half and coasted to the win.

Devonte Brown led Indiana State (15-17) with 15 points and six rebounds.