Eagles’ Comeback Bid Comes Up Short
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball could not complete a furious second-half rally as No. 17 Bellarmine University handed the Screaming Eagles a 65-61 Great Lakes Valley Conference setback at Knights Hall Monday evening.
USI (10-5, 3-4 GLVC) trailed 37-18 following a dismal offensive performance in the opening half. The Eagles shot just 28.0 percent from the field in the opening half, including 3-of-19 (.158) throughout the final 16 minutes of the half.
Bellarmine (12-1, 6-1 GLVC), meanwhile, used a 21-6 run throughout the final six minutes of the second period to turn a 16-12 lead into a commanding 19-point edge heading into the intermission. The Knights went 9-of-13 (.692) from the floor during the last six minutes of the first half to build the large lead.
The Knights quickly extended their lead to 21 early in the third quarter, but a 21-point third quarter allowed the Eagles to trim the deficit to 53-39 heading into the final period.
USI carried that momentum into the fourth quarter, where it scored 11 of the first 12 points to cut Bellarmine’s lead to four points with just over seven minutes to play. Junior forward Hannah Wascher (Rantoul, Illinois), who had a basket to end the third quarter to bring USI’s deficit to 14, scored six points of those 11 points, while sophomore guard/forward Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) drained a three-pointer.
Bellarmine, however, answered the Eagles’ charge as freshman center Ally Mayhaus scored six straight points to push the Knights’ advantage to 60-50 with just under six minutes to play.
USI made one final charge as a 7-1 spurt, capped off by a three-point play by freshman forward/center Mikayla Rowan (Brazil, Indiana), allowed the Eagles to close the gap to four points in the final minute of the game. Junior guard Tanner Marcum (New Albany, Indiana) also had four points during the push.
Bellarmine, however, answered USI point-for-point in the final 30 seconds to hand the Eagles their fourth straight loss.
Turnovers cost the Eagles dearly in the first 20 minutes as USI’s 17 first-half offensive miscues turned into 14 points for Bellarmine. USI cleaned up its offensive performance in the second half, where it had just five turnovers.
Grooms led the Eagles with a game-high tying 16 points and seven rebounds, while Wascher added 14 points and seven rebounds. Marcum and Rowan finished with 10 and nine points, respectively, while sophomore guard Randa Harshbarger (Philo, Illinois) added six points and a game-high seven assists.
Bellarmine benefitted from a strong bench effort as the Eagles’ reserves were outscored 29-6. The Knights were led by junior guard Whitney Hartlage, who had 16 points. Mayhaus had 12 points and five rebounds off the bench.
USI returns to action Thursday at 5:30 p.m. when it travels to Romeoville, Illinois, to take on No. 8 Lewis University (16-1, 7-0 GLVC). The Eagles complete their three-game road swing Saturday at 1 p.m. when they visit the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (10-5, 4-2 GLVC).
