Evansville, IN -- (Sports Network) - The University of Evansville named Misty Murphy women's head basketball coach on Tuesday.

Murphy, who was an associate head coach at Rice University for the past three years, replaces Tricia Cullop, who resigned after eight years of leading the Purple Aces to take over at the women's program at the University of Toledo.

Murphy takes over for the co-Missouri Valley Conference regular season champions, who finished with a 21-12 record a season ago.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for someone like me, to come into an established program where the future is very bright," Murphy said.