Eagles battle Trojans to final possession in 47-44 loss

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball continued Ohio Valley Conference action from Screaming Eagles Arena on Thursday night, battling the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to a 47-44 final in favor of the visitors.
 
The hosting Screaming Eagles entered Thursday night in a tie for fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference standings, while the Trojans entered in a tie for first place. The matchup on Thursday night went down to the final seconds.
 
The game started with both teams trying to find a flow into the contest. Little Rock grabbed an early 5-0 lead until USI got on the scoreboard 4:05 into the game. Southern Indiana senior forward Tara Robbe (Wildwood, Missouri) cashed in on a three-pointer, and a minute later, sophomore guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) swished home a triple to tie the game 6-6 in the first quarter.
 
The early defensive battle continued for the rest of the first quarter. Little Rock went ahead 13-8 after the first period, attacking the inside and going without an attempt from beyond the arc in the first.
 
The Screaming Eagles began the second quarter by snapping nearly a four-minute scoreless drought, as junior guard Lexie Green (Indianapolis, Indiana) canned a wide-open three to make the score 13-11 Little Rock. The contest was a grind on both ends of the floor, as each side had to value each possession.
 
USI had a pair of big plays late in the second quarter. With 2:52 left in the second period, junior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) absorbed contact underneath the basket for a layup. With just under two minutes until halftime, senior guard Tori Handley (Jeffersonville, Indiana) ripped a three-pointer through the bottom of the net to give USI a 25-21 lead. Little Rock had a small burst before halftime to force a tied ballgame at the intermission, 27-27.
 
Out of halftime, the Trojans jumped in front 33-27 on six straight points by redshirt junior forward Sali Kourouma, who had 14 points at the break. The Screaming Eagles responded with some big noise of their own, going on a 10-0 run. USI surged ahead 37-33, receiving a pair of threes from Green and Shafford in the process.
 
The rest of the third quarter saw the defenses step up and the offenses cool down. Southern Indiana’s defense held Little Rock scoreless for the remaining six minutes of the third period. USI led 40-35 after three periods of play.
 
With just over six minutes remaining in the fourth, USI graduate forward Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio) hit a jumper to put USI up seven, 42-35. Meanwhile, USI’s defense continued to be stingy, as Little Rock’s scoreless drought reached over 10 minutes. Down the stretch, each possession was important.
 
The Trojans cut into USI’s lead, but a pair of made free throws by senior forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) gave USI a 44-40 margin with three minutes left. The Trojans reclaimed the lead 47-44 off a 7-0 run with just over 90 seconds left and held on the rest of the game.
 
On the night, Southern Indiana was led by Shafford with 10 points and eight rebounds. Brown was second in scoring for USI with eight points while claiming six rebounds. Green provided a solid boost off the bench with six points and eight rebounds. USI was 15-for-57 for just over 26 percent in the game, hitting seven triples. The Screaming Eagles were plus-11 on the boards, which included 19 offensive rebounds that led to 11 second-chance points.
 
The Trojans were led by Kourouma with 20 points. Little Rock was 18-for-54 shooting for just over 33 percent in the game, making a single three-pointer.
 
Following Thursday’s game, USI’s record moved to 8-8 overall and 2-3 in OVC play. Little Rock’s record improved to 8-8 this season and 5-0 in OVC action.
 
The Screaming Eagles conclude the homestand Saturday at 5 p.m. from Screaming Eagles Arena, as USI takes on the University of Tennessee at Martin. The game can be seen live with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on 95.7 FM Th Spin (http://957thespin.com). Tickets can be purchased online at usi.universitytickets.com.