University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball looks to finish its non-conference slate on a strong note when it hosts NAIA opponent Grace College Sunday at 3:15 p.m. at the Physical Activities Center.
The Screaming Eagles (9-1), who slipped to No. 8 in the Division II Media Poll and No. 20 in the USA Today Sports/Division II Coaches’ Poll, are coming off their first loss off their first loss of the year, an 81-73 road setback to Lincoln Memorial University on December 19.
Junior forward Kacy Eschweiler (St. Charles, Missouri) had 21 points to lead the Eagles, while senior guard/forward Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) chipped in 16 points and four assists.
Grooms leads USI on the year and ranks fourth in the GLVC with 18.5 points per contest, while senior forward Morgan Dahlstrom (Grayslake, Illinois) is fifth in the league in scoring with 16.6 points per contests and second in rebounding with 9.9 boards per appearance.
Grace (8-7), which has won five straight games, is led by junior guard Brooke Sugg and sophomore guard Vironnica Drake, who are respectively averaging 13.7 and 12.4 points per contest.
Sunday’s game, which follows USI Men’s Basketball’s 1 p.m. contest with Ohio Valley University, will be aired on WSWI 95.7 FM and on the GLVC Sports Network. Live stats, audio and video links can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.
USI Women’s Basketball Notes (12/27/17)
• Eagles suffer first loss. USI Women’s Basketball suffered its first loss of the year last week when host Lincoln Memorial defeated the Eagles, 81-73. Despite forcing 26 turnovers, the Eagles surrendered a regular-season high 81 points as the Railsplitters shot 47.4 percent (27-57) from the field and connected on 19-of-27 (.704) from the charity stripe.
• Leaders. USI had four players in double figures in the loss to Lincoln Memorial. Junior forward Kacy Eschweiler had a game-high 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting, while senior guard/forward Kaydie Grooms finished with 16 points and four assists. Junior guard Alex Davidson (Salem, Indiana) scored a career-high 13 points, including 11 in the opening period, while senior forward Morgan Dahlstrom added 10 points.
• Eagles sporting one of DII’s top defenses. Despite giving up 81 points in their first loss of the year, the Eagles still have one of the nation’s best defenses. Heading into the Holiday break, the Eagles ranked sixth in the nation in scoring defense (52.5 ppg), 10th in blocks (5.5 bpg), 11th in opponent field goal percentage (.336), 14th in steals (12.6 spg) and 16th in opponent three-point field goal percentage (.249). USI has held its opponents to 50-or-fewer points five times this year and to 60-or-fewer points eight times.
• USI in the Top 25. Prior to the loss to Lincoln Memorial, USI slipped one spot to No. 8 in the Division II Media Poll. Following their loss to LMU, the Eagles fell three spots to No. 20 in the latest USA Today Sports/NCAA Division II Coaches’ Poll. USI also slipped to No. 6 in the latest Herosports.com Division II rankings and No. 8 in the Massey Ratings.
• What’s next? The Eagles conclude non-conference play Sunday when they host NAIA opponent Grace College at the PAC.
• A look at Grace. Located in Winona Lake, Indiana, Grace is a member of the Crossroads League. The Lancers (8-7, 2-2 CL) bring a five-game win streak into the PAC and are coming off wins over Roosevelt and Robert Morris prior to the Holiday break. Junior guard Brooke Sugg and sophomore guard Vironnica Drake lead the Lancers with 13.7 and 12.4 points per game, respectively.
• What’s ahead? USI resumes GLVC play January 4 when it hosts Missouri-St. Louis at the PAC before traveling to Springfield, Missouri, for a Top 25 showdown with No. 8 Drury January 6.
• Record book watch. Three players are in currently in USI’s record books:
–Kaydie Grooms is 11th in scoring (1,199), is 16th in blocks (53) and 22nd in rebounds (432);
–Randa Harshbarger is sixth in assists (299) and is 10th in steals (157);
–Morgan Dahlstrom is tied for 12th in rebounds (542) and blocks (56), and is 31st in scoring (725).
• USI in statistical rankings. USI begins the week ranked first in the GLVC in six statistical categories including scoring defense, scoring margin, steals, field goal percentage defense, three-point field goal percentage defense and free throw percentage. The Eagles rank in the top five of 13 GLVC statistical categories and in the top 25 of seven NCAA II statistical categories.
• Eagles in statistical rankings. Several Eagles are in the top 15 of GLVC statistical categories to begin the week:
–Morgan Dahlstrom (7 categories) ranks No. 1 in defensive rebounds (7.0 drpg), No. 2 in total rebounds (9.9 rpg), and No. 5 in scoring 16.6 ppg);
–Kacy Eschweiler (3 categories) is No. 10 in blocks (1.1 bpg) and No. 30 in scoring (10.8 ppg);
–Kaydie Grooms (5 categories) is No. 4 in scoring (18.5 ppg);
–Imani Guy (1 category) is tied for 11th in blocks (1.0 bpg)
–Randa Harshbarger (3 categories) is No. 2 in steals (3.8 spg) and No. 5, nationally.
