EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — Two Missouri Valley Conference women’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Sunday when the Evansville Purple Aces host the Indiana State Sycamores at Ford Center.

Indiana State (7-13, 3-6 MVC) enters with a slight uptick after a 77-63 road victory at Valparaiso on Thursday. The Evansville Purple Aces (5-16, 3-6), meanwhile, are looking to rebound from a tough 79-73 overtime home loss to Belmont that same night.

The matchup features a compelling rematch from just two weeks ago. On Jan. 18 in Terre Haute, the Sycamores held off Evansville for a 77-71 win. Key performers from that game will again be in the spotlight.

For Indiana State, guard Kennedy Claybrooks is coming off a near-triple-double against Valparaiso, with 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. In the Jan. 18 win over Evansville, she posted 13 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and three blocks. Her all-around play is central to the Sycamores’ efforts.

Evansville will counter with dynamic guard Camryn Runner, who was spectacular in the first meeting despite the loss, pouring in 30 points, grabbing nine rebounds and dishing seven assists. She followed that with a 19-point, 10-assist double-double in the overtime loss to Belmont, demonstrating her capacity to carry the Purple Aces’ offense.

Both teams have struggled for consistency this season. Indiana State’s win at Valparaiso snapped a three-game skid. Evansville has lost two of its last three, with its lone win in that span a narrow 68-65 victory at Northern Iowa on Jan. 25.

The game will be a critical conference battle as the second half of the Valley schedule unfolds. Indiana State currently holds a half-game edge over Evansville in the standings. A win for the Purple Aces would not only avenge the earlier loss but also potentially leapfrog the Sycamores in the league table.

Tip-off is set for Sunday afternoon at Ford Center.