EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball rallied from a 13-point second-quarter deficit to defeat the University of Illinois Springfield, 88-80, and hand Head Coach Rick Stein his 400th career victory Thursday evening at Screaming Eagles Arena.
The No. 25 Screaming Eagles (12-2, 6-0 GLVC) used a 6-0 run that lasted less than 20 seconds in the final minute of the first half to pick-up momentum.
USI carried that momentum into the second half, where a 5-0 run late in the third period pulled USI into a 60-60 tie.
Illinois Springfield (8-6, 3-5 GLVC) retook the lead with a three-pointer from sophomore guard Malea Jackson, but USI answered with seven straight points to take its first lead since the opening period.
USI pushed its advantage to 71-64 a minute into the fourth period and did not relinquish that lead throughout the remainder of the contest.
Senior guard Emma DeHart (Indianapolis, Indiana) scored 19 points and four assists to lead the Eagles, while sophomore forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) added 18 points. Sophomore guard Addy Blackwell (Bloomington, Indiana) chipped in 13 points, while junior forwards Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) and Tara Robbe (Wildwood, Missouri) each finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Jackson led the Prairie Stars with a game-high 27 points and eight rebounds, while junior guard Lauren Ladowski added 20 points and five steals.
USI returns to action Saturday at 1 p.m. when it hosts Lewis University in its annual Hoops for Troops Military Appreciation game. The Flyers (4-10, 2-4 GLVC) suffered a 69-56 road loss to the University of Indianapolis Thursday evening.
