University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball held Lindenwood University scoreless for the final five-and-a-half minutes of the game as the Screaming Eagles held on for a 70-55 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory at Screaming Eagles Arena.
Thursday’s contest looked eerily similar to the Screaming Eagles’ previous meeting with Lindenwood, a game USI won 81-68 in St. Charles, Missouri, less than two weeks ago.
Like the previous meeting, the Eagles jumped out to a big first-half lead, only to see it shrink; and, like the last meeting, the Eagles used a late run to repell the Lions’ charge and come away with the victory.
USI (15-6, 11-4 GLVC) outscored the Lions 18-4 in the second period to build a commanding 39-20 advantage.
Lindenwood (13-8, 9-6 GLVC), however, rallied throughout the second half. The Lions used a 24-point third quarter to trim USI’s lead to 12 points heading into the fourth quarter; then used an 11-2 run in the final period to get to within three points.
USI, however, slammed the door on the Lindenwood comeback as the Eagles held the Lions without a field goal throughout the final six minutes of the contest.
Junior guard Emma DeHart and freshman forward Hannah Haithcock combined for 10 points in the final five minutes as USI closed the contest on a 12-0 run.
DeHart had 18 points to lead the Eagles, while Haithcock finished with 16 points. Freshman guard Addy Blackwell, who went 5-of-5 from the field and 3-of-3 from downtown, added a season-high 14 points and four steals.
Senior guards Kiara Moses and Ashley Johnson respectively finished with eight rebounds and eight assists for the Eagles, who scored 35 points off Lindenwood’s 24 turnovers.
The Lions, who were held to 22 points below their season average, were led by senior forward Kallie Bildner and senior guard Lindsey Medlen. Bildner had a game-high 20 points and 17 rebounds, while Medlen had 14 points and eight assists.
Despite being outrebounded, 44-32, the Eagles maintained a 40-26 scoring advantage in the paint, while USI’s reserves outscored Lindenwood’s bench players, 24-10.
USI returns to action Saturday at 1 p.m. when it hosts the University of Missouri-St. Louis for Homecoming at Screaming Eagles Arena. The Tritons (12-12, 7-8 GLVC) earned a 79-73 road win over McKendree University Thursday evening in Lebanon, Illinois.
