University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball opened USI Thanksgiving Classic action with an 81-48 victory over Young Harris College Friday afternoon at the Physical Activities Center. USI sees its record go to 5-0 overall, while Young Harris goes to 2-2.
The Screaming Eagles broke the game open in the second quarter and finished the first half with a 17-2 runs to lead 44-21 at the intermission. USI senior guard Tanner Marcum (New Albany, Indiana) led the Eagles’ offensive charge with 18 first half points.
Marcum was seven-of-13 from the field, three-of-six from long range, and perfect on her one attempt at the charity stripe.
USI increased its advantage to as many as 35 points, 78-43, in the second half and cruised through final quarters to an 81-48 final. Young Harris never closed to within fewer than 20 points of the Eagles during the final 20 minutes as USI racked up 14 steals and forced 26 Lion turnovers.
Individually, Marcum finished the game with a game-high 21 points, picking up three points in the final two quarters on a three-point field goal. Senior forward Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) followed with 11 points, while senior forward Hannah Wascher (Rantoul, Illinois) grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.
USI completes Thanksgiving Classic action Sunday at 2:30 p.m. when it plays Michigan Tech University. Michigan Tech saw its record fall to 3-1 after losing to eighth-ranked Bellarmine University, 78-62, in Saturday’s opening game.
