USI (10-5, 6-3 GLVC), which led 13-10 early in the first quarter, trailed 20-19 after a pair of free throws by sophomore forward Ashlynn Brown with a minute left in the frame.
Truman State (12-4, 8-1 GLVC), however, scored five straight points in the final minute of the opening period to take a 25-19 advantage before ripping off 21 straight points to begin the second frame and extend its cushion to 46-19.
The Bulldogs went 9-of-14 (.643) from the field and 6-of-9 (.667) from three-point range during the run, which lasted seven-and-a-half minutes. USI, meanwhile, was limited to 0-of-10 shooting during the run, which ended with a layup by junior guard Emma DeHart.
Truman’s aerial attack plagued the Eagles throughout the contest as the Bulldogs went 16-of-37 (.432) from behind the arc.
Senior guard Ashley Johnson paced the Eagles with 16 points, while DeHart added nine points for USI, which was out-rebounded 57-40.
USI returns to action Saturday at 1 p.m. when it hosts Quincy University in a GLVC contest. The Hawks (6-11, 2-7 GLVC) suffered a 68-63 setback to McKendree University Thursday evening in Lebanon, Illinois.
Saturday’s game is USI’s seventh annual Hoops for Troops Military Appreciation game to honor members of the United States Armed Forces when the Eagles host Quincy. Veterans, military personnel and their guests will receive up to five free tickets per veteran to the games with their military identification or proof of service at the front of the Screaming Eagles Arena ticket window. This event is sponsored by the American Legion Post 324 and the USI Student Veteran Association.
