USI takes first-place Little Rock to final minute in physical battle

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball went toe-to-toe against first-place University of Arkansas at Little Rock Thursday night, but a physical battle went Little Rock’s way by a final score of 58-50.
 
Just like the first matchup in January, Southern Indiana fought hard from the opening tip against Little Rock, as both matchups were determined by single digits.
 
The game started in a back-and-forth battle with physicality on both ends of the floor. The Screaming Eagles led 5-4 through the first 2:15 following a three-pointer from sophomore guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana). Little Rock then went on a 10-0 run in the middle of the first quarter to jump ahead 14-5. Southern Indiana answered with a strong finish to the first period, orchestrating an 8-0 run. USI finished the last two minutes with aggressiveness into the paint, which included two strong drives by junior guard Lexie Green (Indianapolis, Indiana). Little Rock led 14-13 through the opening quarter.
 
The game remained a one-possession battle in the first minutes of the second quarter. Senior forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) made a strong scoop shot to tie the game at 18 with five and a half left in the second period. One possession later, junior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) gave USI a two-point lead, muscling one up and in. The two sides exchanged leads over the next few minutes. Shafford swished a three-pointer to put USI back up, 26-24, with 1:30 left in the first half. In the last minute, Little Rock scored four of its own to take a 28-26 lead into halftime.
 
In the beginning half of the third quarter, Little Rock moved ahead by as many as six points. With under 6:30 left in the third period, Haithcock made an individual push to cut into the deficit. Haithcock recorded a three-point play and made a jumper to make the score 36-35 Little Rock with 5:30 left in the third. Seconds later, senior forward Tara Robbe (Wildwood, Missouri) cashed in on a three-point play to tie the game at 38. Little Rock went ahead by as many as five in the final few minutes of the third, but Southern Indiana cut the deficit down to two after successful trips to the foul line. Little Rock led 46-44 going into the fourth quarter.
 
Early fourth-quarter momentum went in favor of Little Rock, as the Trojans went on a 9-0 run to grab a 55-44 lead. With under three minutes to play, Southern Indiana made a push to cut the deficit down to seven, which included baskets by Haithcock and Green. Inside the final minute, the Screaming Eagles were out of the scoring column.
 
On the night, Haithcock led USI with 15 points and nine rebounds. Shafford posted 13 points with four rebounds. Green finished with eight points. Southern Indiana went 17-45 for 38 percent from the field, 14-20 for 70 percent at the line, and made a pair of threes.
 
Little Rock was led by redshirt junior forward Sali Kourouma with 18 points. The Trojans had two others in double figures. Little Rock was 23-57 for 40 percent shooting and 12-17 for 71 percent at the stripe. Little Rock won the rebounding battle 38-29.
 
With Thursday’s results, Southern Indiana’s record moved to 11-15 overall and 5-10 in the OVC, entering a tie for eighth place in the standings. Little Rock improved to 17-9 this season and 14-1 in OVC play, jumping Eastern Illinois University for first place in the conference.