Dana Achtzehn scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Southern Utah beat Evansville 98-93 Monday.
Evansville (3-2) tied the game three times in the second half, the final time at 62-62 on a 17-foot jumper by Scott Shreffler with 12:59 remaining.But Southern Utah (4-2) ran off seven unanswered points, including five by Achtzehn, for a 69-62 lead with 11:50 to play.
The Aces called a timeout and eventually cut their deficit to 73-72 on a layin by Sascha Hupmann with 8:13 left.
Southern Utah's Sean Petersen hit a 3-pointer, then got called for a technical foul. But Mark Hisle missed both free throws and Evansville trailed 78-72 after a layin by Southern Utah's Rod Dixon, who finished with 14 points.
Southern Utah boosted its advantage to as many as 11 points with 3:06 remaining and Evansville never got closer than five the rest of the way.
Richard Barton added 16 points. DaVor Marcelic had 11 points and six assists and Petersen 11 for Southern Utah.
Evansville was led by Shreffler with 22 points and nine assists. Todd Cochenour added 20 and seven assists, Reed Jackson 17 points and 12 rebounds, Hupmann 13 and Chaka Chandler 10.