EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Coming off a road win last week, University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball returned home to Liberty Arena Monday night and recorded a dominant victory over Indiana University East, 87-32.
USI Women’s Basketball (3-1) looked for back-to-back victories on Monday night after last week’s road triumph at Saint Louis University. USI’s solid defense from that road game carried over into Monday night against IU East (1-4).
While the Screaming Eagles shot efficiently for 45 percent (34-75) overall, the defense held the Red Wolves to below 28 percent (12-43) from the floor. USI knocked down nine threes compared to four by IU East. On the glass, the Eagles outrebounded the Red Wolves, 49-28, as USI pulled down 21 offensive boards that led to 23 second-chance points. USI’s defense had 17 steals and forced 28 turnovers, leading to 39 points for the Screaming Eagles.
All 11 active Screaming Eagles saw the floor and scored on Monday night. Junior forward Chloe Gannon led four Eagles in double figures with 16 points on 6-10 shooting with a game-high eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Lexi Sepulveda and redshirt sophomore guard Kylee Dennis each posted career highs with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Sepulveda hit a team-best three makes from beyond the arc. Senior guard Ali Saunders dropped 12 points while adding four assists and three steals.
After each squad scored on their first possessions of the game, USI went on a 16-3 run to open a wide margin early. The Screaming Eagles spread out the scoring out of the gates in the first quarter, with seven different Eagles tallying points in the opening frame. USI shot over 57 percent overall and outscored IU East 18-0 in the paint in the first quarter, leading to a 27-8 Eagles lead after 10 minutes of action.
The Screaming Eagles widened their lead in a big way in the second quarter. As the Red Wolves scored two baskets in the first two minutes of the second period, USI’s defense took control and held IU East scoreless for the rest of the first half. Gannon scored eight points in the second to total 14 points in the first half. Saunders connected on one of USI’s four triples in the quarter right before the halftime horn to reach double figures for the game. USI capitalized on 19 points off turnovers in the second quarter to help produce a 54-12 lead going into halftime.
IU East came out with a flurry to start the second half, outscoring USI 10-6 in the first four minutes of the third quarter. The Screaming Eagles started to find their rhythm again in the middle of the period. After a dry spell in the game for a little over two minutes, Sepulveda drained a three and scored a layup to pass her previous career high. A last-second layup by Gannon to end the third pushed USI’s lead to 71-26 heading into the fourth quarter.
Dennis had a strong showing for USI in the fourth quarter. Dennis drained three jumpers, including one trey, to reach double digits for the first time in her career. Defensively, USI turned back up the intensity and held the Red Wolves to only six points with only two made field goals, as the Eagles closed out the big win.
USI will be back at Liberty Arena to continue its homestand next Tuesday, November 25, at 6 p.m. against Fisk University.
Leading up to next Tuesday’s tipoff, USI Public Safety is hosting a Stuff the Cruiser initiative to collect non-perishable items for Archie’s Food Closet. A Public Safety cruiser will be parked in front of Liberty Arena during all home USI Basketball games from Sunday, November 16, through Sunday, November 30. Those wishing to donate can give items directly to the Public Safety employee or student worker stationed at the cruiser. Donations can also be dropped off at the Public Safety Office, located on the first floor of the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center.
