University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball erased a pair of double-digits deficits, but fouls and early deficits played a toll on the No. 23 Screaming Eagles as they suffered a stunning 69-61 Great Lakes Valley Conference setback to host Quincy University Tuesday evening at Pepsi Arena.

USI (10-3, 10-3 GLVC), which was No. 23 in the first WBCA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll Tuesday, rallied from deficits of 13-3 and a 38-24 to force ties at 19-19 and 41-41. Each time the Eagles evened the score, though, the Hawks raced away, forcing the Eagles to dig out of another hole.

Quincy (2-12, 2-12 GLVC), which went 26-of-33 at the free throw line, used a 14-3 run to close the first half with a 33-22 lead. The Hawks extended that advantage to 13 points with a pair of free throws less than 20 seconds into the third period and led by 14 three minutes into the second half.

The Eagles, however, used a 17-3 advantage to tie the score at 41 with just over a minute to play in the third quarter. Senior guard Emma DeHart (Indianapolis, Indiana) aided the rally with a pair of three pointers.

Quincy, though, got a pair of free throws from freshman guard Jazzpher Evans to go up 43-41 in its next possession. Evans basket with less than 30 seconds to play in the third put Quincy in front, 45-41, while a basket by sophomore forward Sarah Nelson put USI in a 47-41 deficit less than a minute into the final period.

USI, once again, rallied as DeHart, junior forward Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio) and sophomore forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) all had baskets to pull the Eagles into a 47-47 tie with just over eight minutes left on the clock.

The Hawks, however, got a three-pointer from senior guard Aleksandra Petrovic a minute later, while a basket from sophomore guard Emma Knipe put the Eagles in a five-point hole (52-47) with 6:38 to play in the contest. Evans’ free throw with 5:27 left put the Eagles behind by six and USI could not get any closer than three points throughout the remainder of the contest.

USI, which saw the deficit grow to seven points two minutes later, got back-to-back buckets from sophomore guard Soffia Rieckers (Evansville, Indiana) and Brown to get back to within 57-54; but a quick foul by Brown in Quincy’s next possession gave the Hawks two more points at the charity strike.

The Hawks sank 12-of-14 free throws in the final two minutes to secure the win.

USI, which was whistled for 26 fouls three days after being charged with a season-high 27, frequented the charity stripe just three times, going 4-of-6 on the evening.

Haithcock led USI with 13 points and nine rebounds, while DeHart added 12 points and five assists. Rieckers and Brown each had eight points for the Eagles, who shot just 36.2 percent (25-69) from the field.

Nelson had 21 points to lead the Hawks, who were charged with just 11 fouls on the evening. Petrovic added 13 points for Quincy, which shot 41.7 percent (20-48) from the field while holding a 37-36 advantage on the glass.

The Eagles, who dropped out of the D2SIDA Top 25 Media Poll, return try to stop a two-game slide Thursday at 6:30 p.m. when they visit William Jewell College at 6:30 p.m.

The Evansville Otters have announced that former Otters pitcher Cam Opp has signed with the New York Mets Organization.

Cam Opp, from Enterprise, Ala., signed and joined the Otters in July 2019 for his first professional stint in baseball.

The left-hander went 4-2 with a 2.70 ERA, recording two saves, and striking out 35 in 26.2 innings pitched and 21 appearances for the Otters.

“I am looking forward to competing at the next level and pushing myself further than I have before,” Opp said.

“Cam has above-average velocity from the left side with a sharp cutter, slider combination,” Otters manager Andy McCauley said. “He also threw a curveball that was tough to time up with his other pitches.”

Opp had 16 appearances not allowing an earned run and had 12 outings recording multiple strikeouts out of the bullpen.

“Cam made a huge impact as a rookie stepping into the setup role, and with the number of pitchers that got picked up last year, we needed younger guys to step up,” McCauley said.

“With the new three-batter minimum rule, left-handed pitchers like Cam will be in more demand, and especially because he was dominant against left-handed and right-handed hitters.”

Opp came to the Otters following his senior season at the U.S Military Academy at West Point, pitching for the Army Black Knights. In 2019 for the Black Knights, Opp was 5-1 in 24 appearances with a 3.65 ERA. He recorded 51 strikeouts in 44.1 innings pitched.

“I’ve never had a player from the U.S military academies, U.S.M.A. or U.S.N.A., but hopefully with new regulations we will be able to give these exceptional student-athlete patriots an opportunity to compete past their eligibility,” McCauley said.

Following the 2019 Frontier League season, Opp rejoined the Army to resume his military training.

“The last competitive pitch I threw was in an Otters jersey, and like most baseball players, 2020 was a year away from the field for the most part due to COVID-19,” Opp said.

Opp mentioned he was able to piece together a baseball offseason to stay ready and in game shape. He was supported by the Army and the World Class Athlete Program, moving through Texas, Colorado, and most recently North Carolina, which has provided facilities and an environment where he can work to get better each day.

“It was honestly a pleasure to have Cam, as his work ethic, discipline, respect for staff and teammates, and appreciation of the opportunity were exemplary,” McCauley said.

“We wish Cam the best of luck with the Mets organization.”

“Throughout 2020, the 2019 season with Evansville came to mind often,” Opp said. “I will always remember that team, and I look forward to keeping a lot of the relationships I made with the staff and players throughout the organization.”

Opp is the seventh Otters player from the 2019 season to be signed to an affiliated organization and sixth pitcher from the 2019 pitching staff. He is the third player from the 2019 roster to sign with the Mets.

“It goes without saying that Mr. Bussing’s commitment has allowed me to acquire and retain the best coaching staff in all of minor league baseball,” McCauley said. “All three assistants – Boots (Day), Bobby (Segal), and now Max (Peterson) – have won the prestigious Darren Bush Frontier League Coach of the Year award, and all three were well deserved.”

McCauley also said having the history and proven ability of his coaching staff to get players signed into affiliated baseball helps recruit new players to Evansville.The Otters have sent 81 players to affiliated organizations out of Evansville.

The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions.

The Otters play all home games at historic Bosse Field, located at 23 Don Mattingly Way in Evansville, Ind. Stay up-to-date with the Evansville Otters by visiting evansvilleotters.com, or follow the Otters on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.