Eagles’ comeback bid falls short against defending champs

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Despite a valiant comeback attempt, University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball could not overcome early foul troubles and a sluggish third-quarter as it fell to defending national champion and No. 15 University of Central Missouri, 74-71, Tuesday evening.

After trailing by 15 points heading into the fourth quarter, the Screaming Eagles found themselves with an opportunity to tie the contest in the late stages of the game after a three-pointer by junior guard Ashley Johnson(Louisville, Kentucky) was immediately followed by a Central Missouri foul that sent freshman forward Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio) to the free throw line with the Eagles trailing by two points.

Brown hit the first free throw to pull the Eagles to within a single point at 72-71, but missed the second as Central Missouri corralled the rebound with 35 seconds to play.

USI (8-2), which saw an eight-game win streak come to a halt, forced the Jennies into a missed shot on the defensive end, but an offensive rebound followed by a foul allowed junior forward Kim Crown to sink a pair of free throws to give Central Missouri a three-point edge with 7.6 seconds left in the game.

Senior guard Alex Davidson (Salem, Indiana) had her attempt at the game-tying three-pointer swatted away by Central Missouri senior guard Paige Redmond as the Jennies were able to hold off the Eagles for the three-point win.

The Eagles, who led by five points early in the contest, rallied from an 11-point first-quarter deficit to take a brief 26-25 advantage early in the second period. Early foul trouble, however, plagued the Eagles throughout the contest as Central Missouri was able to forge a 36-32 halftime advantage.

USI, which had three starters with three fouls heading into the intermission, got an early three-pointer from sophomore guard Emma DeHart (Indianapolis, Indiana) in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 36-35.

The Jennies (8-2), however, used an 11-2 run from that juncture to build a 47-37 advantage; before closing the third quarter with an 8-2 run to take a commanding 58-43 lead into the final 10 minutes of the game.

Led by Brown and Johnson, the Eagles outscored the Jennies 28-16 in the fourth quarter to make a game of it. Brown scored all of her nine points in the period, while Johnson scored seven of her nine points in the final 10 minutes

Davidson led all scorers with 19 points, including 16 in the first half, while senior center Kacy Eschweiler(St. Charles, Missouri) had eight points despite sitting most of the first half with foul trouble.

Redmond had 18 points and five assists to pace the Jennies, who held a decisive edge in free throw shooting (18-of-29 compared to USI’s 7-of-13).

USI returns to action December 30 when it hosts No. 8 and 2017 national champion Ashland. The Ashland Eagles (9-1), who were the national runner up a year ago, visit the University of Indianapolis Wednesday before coming to Evansville and the Physical Activities Center December 30.