VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Dru Smith scored 23 points with six rebounds, four assists and Evansville downed Valparaiso 75-65 on Wednesday night, snapping a three-game skid.
Ryan Taylor added 22 points and five rebounds and K.J. Riley chipped in 10 points for the Purple Aces (13-9, 3-6 Missouri Valley Conference) who had a 42-34 rebounding edge over Valparaiso.
Evansville trailed through much of the first half, going ahead for good on a pair of free throws by John Hall and they finished on a 15-9 surge to lead 38-30 at intermission.