University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball used a dominating defensive effort to overcome a slow first quarter and defeat host Maryville University, 61-54, in a Great Lakes Valley Conference bout Thursday evening.
After shooting just 13.3 percent (2-15) from the field and committing seven turnovers in the opening period, the Screaming Eagles rallied with a dominating second-half performance that saw them turn a 13-4 deficit into a commanding 32-23 halftime advantage.
USI (13-6, 9-4 GLVC) used strong defense to keep the Saints within reach in the opening period as it held Maryville to just four points throughout the final six-and-a-half minutes of the quarter.
The buckets opened up in the second frame as USI connected on six of its first eight shots and 11-of-17 (.647) attempts in the period. Meanwhile, USI held the Saints to just four second-quarter field goals and just 28.6 percent shooting as it outscored its counterpart, 28-10, in the frame.
Maryville (11-9, 6-7 GLVC), however, rallied throughout the third period as both teams struggled from the field.
USI went just 4-of-16 (.250) from the field in the third quarter, while Maryville was just 4-of-15 (.267). The Saints, however, went 7-of-8 from the free throw line and connected on three shots from downtown as they trimmed the Eagles’ advantage to 47-41 heading into the final 10 minutes.
Maryville continued its comeback into the fourth period, eventually taking a brief one-point lead (49-48) with just under eight minutes on the clock.
The Eagles’ defense, however, stiffened up from that point as USI held the Saints to 0-of-9 shooting during a 9-0 run that left the Eagles with a 56-49 lead with just under five minutes left on the clock.
Freshman forward Tara Robbe had a pair of buckets during the run that propelled the Eagles to their second straight win.
USI held the Saints to just 1-of-14 (.071) shooting throughout the final seven-and-a-half minutes of the game as it held on for the seven-point win.
Senior guard Ashley Johnson and junior guard Emma DeHart each had 13 points to lead the Eagles, while freshman forward Hannah Haithcock recorded her first-career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Robbe finished with 10 points and five rebounds, while Johnson added four steals and three assists. DeHart and senior guard/forward Morgan Sherwood each finished with seven rebounds for USI, which held a 45-41 rebounding advantage.
Maryville was led by senior guard Mary Barton, who had a game-high 20 points to go along with seven rebounds. Senior center Abby Monis added 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while sophomore guard Jayda Jansen added 14 points and three assists.
USI finishes its four-game road trip Saturday at 1 p.m. when it takes on Missouri University of Science & Technology in a GLVC contest in Rolla, Missouri. The Miners (7-13, 3-10 GLVC) suffered a 74-60 home loss to McKendree University Thursday evening.
