USI Women’s Basketball visits Ferris State Saturday

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University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball returns to action Saturday at 11 a.m. (CST) when it travels to Big Rapids, Michigan, to take on Midwest Region foe Ferris State University. Game time was moved up an hour due to Ferris State hosting the GLIAC Volleyball Tournament Saturday night.

Saturday’s game will be aired live on 95.7 The Spin, while live stats, audio and video, if available, can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.

USI (1-0) is coming off a 52-45 win over then No. 11 University of Central Missouri last week. Junior guard Emma DeHart and senior guard Kiara Moses each had 11 points to lead the Screaming Eagles, who rallied from a 13-point first quarter deficit to earn the win.

USI Women’s Basketball Notes
• USI opens Screaming Eagles Arena with win. USI Women’s Basketball christened its brand new home with a 52-45 come-from-behind win over No. 11 Central Missouri last Wednesday. The Eagles rallied from a 13-point first-quarter deficit to earn the season-opening victory after holding the Jennies to just 31 points throughout the final 33 minutes of the contest.

• Screaming Eagles Arena. The Eagles’ game against Central Missouri marked the first-ever regular-season basketball game in Screaming Eagles Arena. USI Women’s Basketball played in the Physical Activites Center from 1980-81 to 2018-19, posting a 363-194 record all-time at the PAC, including a 217-81 record under Head Coach Rick Stein.

• USI earns first win over nationally-ranked opponent since 2017. The Eagles’ win over then No. 11 Central Missouri marked USI’s first victory over a Top 25 opponent since they defeated No. 25 Grand Valley State, 53-44, at the Bellarmine Thanksgiving Classic November  25, 2017. Central Missouri also represented the highest-ranked opponent the Eagles have defeated since taking down No. 9 Drury, 84-78, at the PAC February 4, 2017.

• New Start time. USI’s game with Ferris State has been moved up an hour due to the Bulldogs’ playing host to the GLIAC Volleyball Tournament. Tip-off is now slated for an 11 a.m. (CST) start time.

• About Ferris State. The Bulldogs are 2-1 and host Midwest Region opponent Ursuline Thursday before taking on the Eagles Saturday. Junior guard Adrienne Anderson leads the Bulldogs with 16.0 points, while senior center Brayene Benner is averaging a team-high 6.0 rebounds per appearance. Junior guard Shaniya Huggins leads the Bulldogs with 3.7 assists per contest.

• Busy slate ahead. After playing just one game throughout the first two weeks of the season, the Eagles’ schedule gets a lot more congested as USI will play five games in an 11-day span. In addition to the Eagles’ visit to Ferris State, USI hosts Hillsdale November 26 before traveling to Louisville, Kentucky, to take on Tampa and Tiffin at the Bellarmine Thanksgiving Classic November 29-30. USI finishes the stretch December 3 when it visits McKendree for its GLVC-opener.

• USI tabbed for fourth-place finish in GLVC. GLVC Women’s Basketball coaches predicted a fourth-place finish in the GLVC for the Eagles in 2019-20. Drury was the unanimous top pick, while Lewis and Bellarmine were respectively predicted to finish second and third. League-newcomer Lindenwood rounded out the top five picks.

• Magic Mark: 75 points. The Eagles are 413-76 (.845) all-time when scoring at least 75 points. USI is 286-27 (.914) since 1996-97 when reaching the 75-point plateau.