University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball plays in the Puerto Rico Classic Friday and Saturday at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Screaming Eagles (8-1) play the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Friday at 5 p.m. (CST) before concluding their trip with a bout against the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Saturday at noon (CST). USI was originally slated to play the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon Saturday at 4 p.m., but that opponent and time was recently changed to help UPR-Mayaguez get more games against Division II competition.
Both of USI’s games this weekend can be heard on WSWI 95.7 FM, while live audio will be available at GoUSIEagles.com. Live stats will be provided on USI’s Twitter account (@USIAthletics) throughout the contest.
USI, which is ranked No. 10 in the nation according to Herosports.com, is coming off an impressive 87-59 regional victory over Kentucky State University last Wednesday. The Eagles shot 76.9 percent from the field on 10-of-13 shooting in the opening period as they cruised to their third straight victory.
Junior guard/forward Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) scored 18 of her team-high 20 points in the first half as USI led 46-21 at the intermission. Junior forwardMorgan Dahlstrom (Grayslake, Illinois) added 17 points, six rebounds and three assists, while five other Eagles finished with at least seven points.
On the year, Grooms leads the Eagles with 15.4 points per contest, while Dahlstrom is second on the team with 11.7 points per appearance. Dahlstrom is tied with senior forward Hannah Wascher (Rantoul, Illinois) for the team lead in rebounding with 7.2 per game, while Wascher and senior guard Tanner Marcum (New Albany, Indiana) are chipping in 11.1 and 10.4 points per game, respectively.
Both UPR-Rio Piedras and UPR-Mayaguez enter this weekend’s action with 0-5 marks against NCAA Division II competition.
USI Women’s Basketball Notes
- Quick start.USI Women’s Basketball shot 76.9 percent from the field on 10-of-13 shooting in the opening period of its 87-59 win over Kentucky State. Junior guard/forward Kaydie Grooms(Marshall, Illinois) hit her first seven shots and had 18 of her team-best 20 points in the first half as the Screaming Eagles led 46-21 at the intermission.
- Eagles receiving love in Herosports.compoll.The Eagles are ranked No. 10 in the latest Herosports.com rankings. USI jumped 18 spots following its win over Kentucky State and is the highest ranked GLVC team, ahead of No. 11 Drury and No. 15 Lewis.
- Second quarter proves big for Eagles.USI’s favorite quarter throughout its first nine games has clearly been the second quarter. The Eagles are outscoring their opponents by an average of 22.1 points to 9.9 points per game in the second period this season. USI outscored Kentucky State 23-9 in the second period last week.
- Specialty Stats. The Eagles have been winning in several aspects of their games this season. USI is outscoring its opposition by an average of 34.9 to 18.9 points per game in the paint this season. USI’s bench is outscoring the oppositions’ reserves by an average of 31.0 to 14.0, while the Eagles are converting opponent turnovers into 25.3 points per game—USI is giving up just 11.7 points per game off its own offensive miscues.
- Change-up.USI’s second opponent at the Puerto Rico Classic this weekend has been changed from Puerto Rico-Bayamon to Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. Additionally, that contest also has been moved up four hours to a noon (CST) start.
- 300.Head Coach Rick Stein is three wins shy of 300. Stein, the all-time winningest coach in program history, has been a part of 456 victories during his 26 years at USI, including 159 in eight seasons as an assistant coach for the Eagles.
- USI in statistical rankings.USI begins the week leading the GLVC in 10 statistical rankings and is in the top five of 16 GLVC statistical categories. The Eagles also rank in the top 20 of 11 NCAA Division II statistical rankings.
- Quality minutes.USI has emptied its bench in seven of its nine games this year and has seen all 13 players contribute in the scoring column in three of those contests.
- Margin of victory. Each of USI’s first nine games this season have been decided by double-digits. Of USI’s eight wins, seven have been by at least 26 points, while their closest win was by 12 points over Wayne State. USI’s lone loss was an 18-point setback to Michigan Tech.
- Non-conference.The Eagles are 35-7 in the last five years versus non-GLVC opponents, including 6-1 this season. The Eagles play three more non-conference opponents before resuming GLVC play in January.
- Scouting the opposition (P.R.-Rio Piedras).The Gallitos are 0-5 against NCAA Division II competition this year. Junior forward Gabriela Maldonado is averaging 6.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game against D-II competition to lead P.R.-Rio Piedras.
- Scouting the opposition (P.R.-Mayaguez).The Janes are 0-5 against NCAA Division II competition this year, including 0-3 against GLVC teams. Sophomore guard Hillary Martinez Argueta leads P.R.-Mayaguez with 21.2 points and 2.4 assists per contest against D-II competition; while freshman guard Iatmar Rosado Rodriguez is chipping in 6.4 points and a team-high 4.6 rebounds per outing.
