Three University of Southern Indiana women’s basketball players scored in double-figures Tuesday evening as the Screaming Eagles cruised past Midway University, 81-37, in their home-opener at the Physical Activities Center.
USI (2-0) scored eight points in the first two minutes of the contest and never looked back as it built a 27-14 first-quarter lead.
The Screaming Eagles shot 51.4 percent from the field in the first half and led 45-27 at the intermission. USI used a stifling defensive effort in the second half as the Screaming Eagles held the Midway Eagles to four points in the third quarter and six points in the fourth period.
Midway (0-7) shot just 16.7 percent (3-18) from the field in the final 20 minutes as USI forced the Eagles into 13 second-half turnovers.
Junior forward Hannah Wascher (Rantoul, Illinois) had 17 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks to lead the Screaming Eagles, while junior guard Tanner Marcum (New Albany, Indiana) added 16 points, four rebounds, five assists, and a career-high seven steals.
Sophomore guard/forward Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) added 16 points, eight rebounds, and a career-high four blocks for the Screaming Eagles, who had nine blocks as a team.
USI also got 10 rebounds from sophomore forward Morgan Dahlstrom (Grayslake, Illinois) as well as a career-high eight assists from sophomore guard Randa Harshbarger (Philo, Illinois).
The Screaming Eagles dominated the paint as they outrebounded Midway, 57-29, and held a 54-6 advantage in points in the paint. USI also outscored Midway 34-4 in points off turnovers.
USI returns to action Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (CST) when it travels to Ashland, Ohio, to take on Ashland University in an early Midwest Region showdown. Ashland defeated USI, 81-61, in the opening round of the NCAA II Tournament last year after USI defeated Ashland during the 2014-15 regular season.
