EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball had seven different players score at least seven points Monday as the Screaming Eagles opened Great Lakes Valley Conference play with a 79-62 victory over the University of Indianapolis at Screaming Eagles Arena. The win marks the 700th in the history of USI Women’s Basketball.
After ending the first half with a 31-28 lead, the Eagles erupted in the third period as they outscored the Greyhounds 29-20 to extend their cushion to double digits heading into the final 10 minutes.
Both teams shot the ball well in the third period, but the Eagles forced UIndy into 10 third-quarter turnovers and took six more shots than the Greyhounds as they began to take over.
USI (5-1, 1-0 GLVC) went just 4-of-12 from the floor in the fourth quarter, but a 3-of-5 (.600) effort from behind the arc during the final 10 minutes, coupled with an 8-for-8 effort from the free throw line, allowed the Eagles to extend their lead to as much as 20 points before settling on the 17-point victory.
Junior forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington   Courthouse, Ohio) paced the Eagles with a game-high 17 points, while senior guard Emma DeHart (Indianapolis, Indiana) had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Freshman guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) had 11 points and a game-high seven rebounds, while junior guard Addy Blackwell(Bloomington, Indiana) added 10 points and four steals. USI also got nine points and five rebounds from sophomore forward Meredith Raley(Haubstadt, Indiana); eight points, five rebounds and three assists from senior forward Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio); and seven points and three assists from junior guard Tori Handley (Jeffersonville, Indiana).
UIndy (1-5, 0-1 GLVC) was led by freshman guard Elana Wells, who had 16 points, and senior guard Taylor Drury, who finished with 14 points.
The Eagles return to action Thursday at 5:30 p.m. when they visit the University of Illinois Springfield for their final GLVC game prior to the holiday break. The Prairie Stars (5-1, 1-0 GLVC) are coming off a dominating 81-52 win over visiting McKendree University Monday evening.
