Eagles off to 2-0 start after win on Sunday

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball moved to 2-0 on the young basketball season Sunday afternoon after an 86-38 win against Oakland City University at Screaming Eagles Arena. With the win, USI is off to a 2-0 start for the second straight season and is the only Ohio Valley Conference team to begin 2-0 this season.
 
Southern Indiana came out and running from the opening tip, as senior forward Madi Webb (Bedford, Indiana) got USI on the scoreboard with a transition layup. Over the course of the early portion of the first period, the Eagles kept pushing. USI started out 4-for-4 from outside the perimeter and stretched out a 14-0 run to take a 16-3 lead by the first media timeout. Redshirt senior guard Addy Blackwell (Bloomington, Indiana) scored eight first-quarter points, connecting on two triples. USI led 24-11 after the opening quarter.
 
The offenses cooled off midway into the second period after an initial three-pointer from senior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) to start the second. The Eagles got a pair of baskets by freshman guard Triniti Ralston (Louisville, Kentucky) to give a spark off the bench. Then Raley found a soft spot in the middle of Oakland City’s zone and knocked down a jump shot to put USI up by 20, 33-13, with 5:12 remaining until halftime.
 
The Screaming Eagles went into halftime leading 45-19 after finishing the second quarter on a 6-0 run and hitting five of the last six shots, including three high-percentage buckets from freshman forward Chloe Gannon (Manchester, Tennessee). Blackwell, Raley, and Gannon combined for 31 of Southern Indiana’s 45 first-half points.
 
Both sides began the third quarter exchanging baskets. Near the seven-minute mark of the third, Blackwell drained her third trey of the game to give her 13 points and put USI ahead 57-23. The Screaming Eagles’ defense was strong in the middle of the period, holding the Mighty Oaks scoreless for over four minutes. Freshman guard Sophia Loden (Mascoutah, Illinois) scored five points late in the third, getting her first minutes of the season in Sunday’s game. USI led 64-32 heading to the final quarter.
 
In the fourth period, USI put the final stamp on the win. Webb scored five straight points for the Eagles amidst a 16-0 run for the Eagles. Southern Indiana’s defense also held Oakland City scoreless for over six minutes in the latter stanza.
 
Just as they did in the season opener last Monday, the Screaming Eagles shot over 50 percent from the floor. USI was 34-for-62 for 54.8 percent shooting overall and shot over 47 percent (9-19) from deep. The Eagles won the rebounding battle 45-18, including 20 offensive boards. USI also dished out 20 assists. Individually, Blackwell and Raley led the way with a game-high 13 points each. Gannon added 10 points and eight rebounds on the afternoon, while Loden scored nine points with six rebounds.
 
Oakland City was led in scoring by senior forward Jalaya Dowell with 12 points. As a team, the Mighty Oaks shot 28.9 percent (13-45) and made three from beyond the arc.
 
The Screaming Eagles conclude their three-game homestand Thursday at 7 p.m. against Northern Illinois University at Screaming Eagles Arena. Fans can purchase tickets online at usiscreamingeagles.com. Thursday’s game can also be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.