University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball is ranked No. 23 in the first Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association (WBCA) Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, which was released Tuesday.
The Screaming Eagles (10-3, 10-3 GLVC) are receiving votes in the D2SIDA Top 25 Media Poll after plummeting from No. 11 all the way out of the ranking following their loss to Truman State University last Saturday.
USI will attempt to stop a two-game slide Thursday at 6:30 p.m. when it visits William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. The Eagles also visit Rockhurst University Saturday at 2 p.m.
How to Watch
While fans are not permitted to attend the games, they can watch free of charge on the GLVC Sports Network, which is available both your desktop, mobile/tablet devices, as well as four over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV (4th Generation). GLVCSN.com is the official website of the GLVC Sports Network, while the GLVCSN mobile app is available for iOS in the App Store and Android on Google Play. Apple users also can use AirPlay with their Apple TV or some of the newer smart TVs. (GLVCSN FAQs)
Other ways to follow the action
USI’s games will be carried on the airwaves at 95.7 The Spin as well as online at 957thespin.com. Links to both the online audio as well as live stats can be found at GoUSIEagles.com. Updates also will be provided on USI’s social media platforms (@USIAthletics), particularly Twitter.
USI Women’s Basketball Notes (2/3/21)
• Schedule changes. USI Women’s Basketball’s game at William Jewell Thursday has been moved to a 6:30 p.m. start due to the men’s game at Jewell being moved to Friday. Additionally, USI’s game at Rockhurst Saturday has been changed to a 2 p.m. start, while USI’s game at McKendree February 22 has been scheduled for a 1 p.m. tip-off time.
• Eagles start week with loss to Quincy. USI suffered a 69-61 road loss to Quincy Tuesday evening to begin another busy week. The Eagles were whistled for 26 fouls, allowing the host Hawks to go 26-of-33 at the free throw line. Senior forward Hannah Haithcock had 13 points and nine rebounds to lead the Eagles, while senior guard Emma DeHart finished with 12 points and five assists.
• House of horrors. Quincy’s Pepsi Arena continues to be a thorn in USI’s side. The Eagles are just 1-14 since 2000 in Pepsi Arena, including a loss to Lake Superior State in the 2004 NCAA II Regional Tournament.
• Last week. USI had home wins over Indianapolis (56-51) and Quincy (62-50), but fell to Truman State, 73-67, to end the week. Haithcock averaged 16.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game to lead the Eagles, while DeHart chipped in 16.3 points and 3.0 assists per game.
• Two-game slide. USI’s loss to Quincy marked the first two-game slide of the year for the Eagles, who have had a pair of five-game win streaks.
• Troubling trend. In the last two games, the Eagles have been charged with a combined 53 fouls, which has allowed the opposition to go a combined 47-70 at the charity stripe. USI, meanwhile, has drawn just 25 fouls during that stretch, going just 15-of-22 from the free throw line.
• Everyone played significant minutes. With USI playing eight games in a 17-day span, Head Coach Rick Stein is trying to keep his squad fresh. The Eagles played all 11 players in uniform against Quincy, with all players seeing at least seven minutes of work.
• USI in national poll. The Eagles fell out of the D2SIDA Top 25 Media Poll Tuesday afternoon as they were receiving votes outside the Top 25. However, the WBCA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll debuted Tuesday, with the Eagles receiving a ranking of No. 23.
• GLVC Point Ratings System. The Eagles remained No. 3 in the latest GLVC Point Ratings System (PRS) ranking, which determines the eight teams that will compete in the GLVC Tournament in March. The Eagles did lose ground with their rating, which dipped to 3.88 after Tuesday’s loss. USI trails Truman State (4.42) and Drury (4.32). Lewis (3.50) and Rockhurst (3.46) round out the top five, while Lindenwood (3.45), Missouri-St. Louis (3.27) and Maryville (2.97) round out the top eight teams.
• Season leaders. DeHart leads USI with 15.0 points and 3.5 assists per game, while Haithcock is averaging 12.8 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds per contest. Sophomore guard Addy Blackwell is contributing 9.0 points and a team-high 1.8 steals per outing, while senior guard Ashley Hunter is adding 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per appearance. Turner leads USI with 1.0 blocks per contest.
