University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball survived a barrage of second-half fouls and a furious comeback bid to defeat visiting McKendree University, 66-62, in Great Lakes Valley Conference action Thursday evening at the Physical Activities Center.
The Screaming Eagles (16-7, 9-4 GLVC), who led 40-19 late in the second quarter, were whistled for nine fouls in the first seven-and-a-half minutes of the fourth quarter and 14 for the second half as the Bearcats slowly chipped away at USI’s lead.
McKendree (12-11, 6-8 GLVC) scored the final seven points of the second quarter to trim USI’s 21-point advantage to 40-26 at the intermission. The Bearcats shot 53.8 percent from the field in the third quarter as they cut the Eagles’ advantage to 56-47 heading into the fourth quarter.
USI’s lead continued to dwindle as foul trouble sent key players to the bench during the fourth quarter. McKendree held the Eagles to just two points throughout the first eight minutes of the period as it pulled to within one point at 58-57 with less than two minutes to play.
Freshman forward Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio) hit a crucial basket with 1:43 to play in the game, putting the Eagles up 60-57. Senior guard Alex Davidson (Salem, Indiana) and senior center Kacy Eschweiler (St. Charles, Missouri) combined to go 6-of-6 at the free throw line in the final 30 seconds as the Eagles held on for the four-point victory.
First half run
USI used a 32-13 run that took up nearly 15 minutes of the first half to build its 21-point advantage. The Eagles were 12-of-20 (.600) from the field and 4-of-11 (.364) from three-point range during the run. Additionally, the Eagles racked up seven assists and seven steals as McKendree had 16 of its 25 turnovers during the stretch.
Foul trouble
Foul trouble plagued the Eagles late in the game as sophomore forward Imani Guy (Columbus, Indiana) and senior forward/center Mikayla Rowan (Brazil, Indiana) each fouled out of the contest. USI committed nine fouls in the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter, while McKendree was not whistled for an infraction in the fourth period until the 2:24 mark.
Statistical leaders
Junior guard Ashley Johnson (Louisville, Kentucky) led USI with 16 points, six assists and four steals, while Eschweiler chipped in 14 points and 11 rebounds. Guy added 12 points and nine rebounds.
McKendree was aided by the effort of junior guard Jordan Heberg, who finished with a game-high 27 points.
