EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball saw its four-game winning streak come to an end Thursday as Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division rival Lewis University handed the No. 25 Screaming Eagles a 72-63 setback Saturday afternoon at Screaming Eagles Arena.
USI (12-3, 6-1 GLVC) shot just 33.8 percent (22-65) from the field and just 8.3 percent (2-24) from behind the arc as the Flyers handed the Eagles their first home loss of the year.
Despite shooting 53.8 percent (7-13) from the field in the second period, the Eagles went into the break facing a 37-36 halftime deficit.
Lewis (5-10, 3-4 GLVC) used a 9-0 run early in the second half to take 46-38 lead as USI shot just 29.4 percent (5-17) from the field in the third period, including 0-of-5 from behind the arc.
Despite the struggles, the Eagles kept the Flyers within reach, closing their deficit to 54-50 heading into the fourth.
USI, however, went 1-of-9 (.111) from the field throughout the first five minutes of the fourth quarter as the Flyers used a 12-2 run to build a commanding 66-52 advantage.
The Eagles cut Lewis’ lead to six with a minute to play, but that was as close as USI would get as the last undefeated team in GLVC play suffered its first conference loss of the year.
Sophomore forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) finished with 18 points and seven rebounds to lead USI, while senior guard Emma DeHart (Indianapolis, Indiana) added 13 points. Junior guard Tori Handley (Jeffersonville, Indiana) added a season-high 10 points.
Sophomore guard Taylor Gugliuzza had 20 points and five assists to lead the Flyers, while sophomore forward Grace Hilber added 19 points. Freshman guard Tara Gugliuzza added 15 points for the Flyers, who out-rebounded USI 46-40.
USI returns to action Thursday at 5:30 p.m. when it visits Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. The game starts a three-game road trip for USI, which also visits Quincy University next Saturday before traveling to St. Charles, Missouri, to take on Lindenwood University in a makeup game January 31.
