The University of Southern Indiana women’s basketball team scored the first 12 points of the game and never looked back as it cruised to a 66-48 Midwest Region victory over Ferris State University in the final round of the Bellarmine Classic Sunday afternoon.
USI (9-1) connected on six three-pointers, including two in its 12-0 run to begin the game, as it earned its seventh straight win.
After baskets by junior forward Hannah Wascher (Rantoul, Illinois) and sophomore forward Morgan Dahlstrom (Grayslake, Illinois) to open the game, junior guard Tanner Marcum (New Albany, Indiana) scored on a layup and hit a three-pointer to give USI a 9-0 advantage less than three minutes into the contest.
Sophomore guard Randa Harshbarger (Philo, Illinois) hit a three-pointer moments later as USI’s lead increased to 12 points before Ferris State could get on the scoreboard.
USI led by as much as 16 in the opening quarter and 22-8 at the end of the first period; then used a 7-0 run to open its largest advantage of the first half (30-13) with six minutes to play in the second quarter. Sophomore forward Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) wrapped a three-pointer and a layup around a basket by Wascher as USI surged to the 17-point advantage.
Ferris State (2-8) ended the half with a 5-0 run to cut USI’s lead to 34-22 at the intermission; but back-to-back baskets by Dahlstrom to begin the second half followed by a three-pointer by Marcum staked USI to a 41-24 lead early in the third quarter.
The Screaming Eagles eventually extended their advantage to as many as 22 points in the third quarter before a 6-0 Ferris State spurt cut USI’s cushion to 52-36 heading into the final period.
USI saw its lead slip to 15 two minutes into the fourth quarter before an 8-0 run ended any chance of a Ferris State comeback.
Dahlstrom finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high three assists to lead the Eagles, while Marcum chipped in 14 points, four assists, and six steals. Harshbarger added a career-high tying 10 points to her four steals and game-high five assists, while Grooms and Wascher finished with nine and eight points, respectively. Grooms also had three assists and three steals.
Marcum was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 14.5 points, 3.0 assists, and 3.5 steals during the two-game stretch.
The Bulldogs were led by senior forward Alexis Huntley, who had 15 points and 14 rebounds. Sophomore forward Rachel McInerney added 12 points and eight rebounds to earn All-Tournament honors.
USI resumes Great Lakes Valley Conference play January 7 when it travels Kansas City, Missouri, to take on Rockhurst University.
