University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball hosts Midwest Region opponent Hillsdale College Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. inside Screaming Eagles Arena to begin a busy Thanksgiving week.
The Screaming Eagles (1-1) also travel to Louisville, Kentucky, to take part in the Bellarmine Thanksgiving Classic Friday and Saturday. USI takes on the University of Tampa Friday at noon (CST) before playing Midwest Region foe Trevecca Nazarene University Saturday at noon.
USI is coming off an 86-75 setback to Ferris State University Saturday in Big Rapids, Michigan. The Eagles nearly rallied from a 20-point second-half deficit as they got to within four points with two minutes to play in the game before a Ferris State three-pointer stole USI’s momentum.
Junior guard Emma DeHart leads the Eagles with 13.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, while senior guard Kiara Moses is chipping in 11.5 points per appearance. Sophomore forward Ashlynn Brown rounds out the Eagles’ double-digit scorers with 10.5 points per outing, while senior guard Ashley Johnsonis averaging 9.5 points to go along with a team-high 4.0 assists and 2.5 steals per contest.
All three games this week will be aired live on 95.7 The Spin as well as the GLVC Sports Network, while live stats, audio and video, if available, can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.
USI Women’s Basketball Notes
• Eagles fall to Ferris State. Despite trimming a 20-point half third-quarter deficit to just four points with two minutes to play, USI Women’s Basketball was unable to complete the rally as Ferris State held on for the 86-75 victory. Junior guard Emma DeHart and sophomore forward Ashlynn Brown each had 16 points to lead the Eagles in the loss.
• Moses continues strong start in new digs. Senior guard Kiara Moses scored 12 points against Ferris State after finishing with 11 points in USI’s win over then No. 11 Central Missouri. Moses is shooting 55.6 percent from three-point range and leads the Eagles through two games with five three-pointers.
• Brown scores career high. Brown’s 16-point effort against Ferris State marked a career high for the sophomore forward.
• Double-figures. USI has four players in double figures against Ferris State and have had five different players reach double figures in its first two games.
• Eagles getting set for 1,200th game. The Eagles will play their 1,200th game Tuesday night when they host Hillsdale. USI is 667-532 (.556) all-time.
• About Hillsdale. Sophomore guard Lauren Daffenberg leads the Chargers with 14.5 points. Senior center Julia Wacker averages a team-best 7.0 rebounds per game for Hillsdale, which is 2-4 on the year.
• About Tampa. The Spartans are 2-1 to start the year and are led by junior forwards LaShayla Wright-Ponder and Dori Nagy. Wright-Ponder is averaging a team-high 20 points in addition to 8.3 rebounds per contest; while Nagy is chipping in 17.7 points and a team-best 10.0 rebounds per outing.
• About Trevecca. The Trojans are 3-2 to start the year and visit Auburn University-Montgomery to start Wednesday and Bellarmine Friday before playing USI Saturday. Junior guard Olivia Pepperman averages 17.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game to lead the Trojans.
• USI opens Screaming Eagles Arena with win. USI Women’s Basketball christened its brand-new home with a 52-45 come-from-behind win over No. 11 Central Missouri last Wednesday. The Eagles rallied from a 13-point first-quarter deficit to earn the season-opening victory after holding the Jennies to just 31 points throughout the final 33 minutes of the contest.
• Screaming Eagles Arena. The Eagles’ game against Central Missouri marked the first-ever regular-season basketball game in Screaming Eagles Arena. USI Women’s Basketball played in the Physical Activities Center from 1980-81 to 2018-19, posting a 363-194 record all-time at the PAC, including a 217-81 record under Head Coach Rick Stein.
• USI earns first win over nationally-ranked opponent since 2017. The Eagles’ win over then No. 11 Central Missouri marked USI’s first victory over a Top 25 opponent since they defeated No. 25 Grand Valley State, 53-44, at the Bellarmine Thanksgiving Classic November 25, 2017. Central Missouri also represented the highest-ranked opponent the Eagles have defeated since taking down No. 9 Drury, 84-78, at the PAC February 4, 2017.
• USI tabbed for fourth-place finish in GLVC. GLVC Women’s Basketball coaches predicted a fourth-place finish in the GLVC for the Eagles in 2019-20. Drury was the unanimous top pick, while Lewis and Bellarmine were respectively predicted to finish second and third. League-newcomer Lindenwood rounded out the top five picks.
• Magic Mark: 75 points. The Eagles are 413-77 (.843) all-time when scoring at least 75 points. USI is 286-28 (.911) since 1996-97 when reaching the 75-point plateau.
