In addition to Eschweiler, the Eagles also got 11 points and nine rebounds from senior forward Morgan Dahlstrom (Grayslake, Illinois), while senior guard/forward Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) added nine points. Senior guard Randa Harshbarger (Philo, Illinois) contributed five points, four assists and a game-high seven steals.
USI begins Great Lakes Valley Conference play Thursday at 5:30 p.m. when it hosts Lewis University at the Physical Activities Center. The Eagles also visit the University of Indianapolis Saturday at noon (CST) before resuming non-conference play December 16 against Harris-Stowe State University.
1st Quarter
Northern Michigan (3-3) used runs of 6-0 and 5-2 to grab a 15-11 lead after 10 minutes of play. The Wildcats shot 50.0 percent (6-12) from the field and held the Eagles to just 4-of-11 (.364) shooting to grab the first-quarter advantage. Eschweiler had five points to pace USI in the opening frame.
2nd Quarter
USI, which scored the first five points of the period to take a brief 16-15 lead, held the Wildcats to just 3-of-11 (.272) shooting in the second quarter as it went into the break facing a 24-22 halftime deficit. Eschweiler had six points to lead USI in the second frame.
3rd Quarter
The Eagles scored the first four points of the second half to take a brief two-point lead; then went on a 13-2 run to break a 30-30 tie and build a commanding 11-point lead late in the third quarter. USI shot 50.0 percent (9-18) from the field in the third period, while getting a combined 12 points from Eschweiler and Dahlstrom, to head into the final 10 minutes with a 43-34 lead.
4th Quarter
In a back-and-forth period, USI’s cushion stood at eight points with less than two minutes to play when Dahlstrom had back-to-back baskets to thwart the Wildcats’ comeback chances. Dahlstrom had six points in the fourth quarter as USI went 7-of-13 (.538) from the field to close out the 10-point win.
