University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball concluded USI Thanksgiving Classic with a 79-61 loss to Michigan Tech University Sunday afternoon at the Physical Activities Center. USI sees its record go to 5-1 overall, while Michigan Tech goes to 4-1.
The Screaming Eagles fell behind in the first two quarters of the game, trailing by as many as seven points four times. The score was tied 4-4 at 7:23 of the opening quarter before the Huskies took the lead and held it through halftime, posting 38-32 lead at the intermission.
Senior guard Tanner Marcum (New Albany, Indiana) had the hot hand for the Eagles in the opening half, posting nine points on four-of-four from the field and one-of-one from long range for nine points. Junior forward Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) tied Marcum for the team lead in the first half with nine points.
The third quarter saw the Huskies turn up the heat as they outscored the Eagles, 26-10, and took command with a 64-42 advantage at the end of 30 minutes. USI shot 12.5 percent (1-8) during the deciding third quarter, compared to the 45 percent (9-20) by Michigan Tech.
In the fourth quarter, the Eagles trailed by 24 points early, 66-42, before cutting the deficit to as few as 15 points, 70-55, with 4:57 left. That would be as close as USI would get before the buzzer sounded on the 79-61 loss.
Marcum and Grooms finished on top of the Eagles scoring column with 11 points each, while sophomore center Kacy Eschweiler (St. Charles, Missouri) ended the game with a team-high six rebounds.
USI hits the road this week to open Great Lakes Valley Conference action, traveling to McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, December 1, and the University of Illinois Springfield in Springfield, Illinois, December 3. The Eagles return the friendly surroundings of the PAC December 7 when they host a non-conference match-up with Kentucky State University.
In Sunday’s first game, eighth-ranked Bellarmine University defeated Young Harris College, 73-55.
