NASHVILLE – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball fought back from an 11-point deficit to gut out a 72-67 road victory at Tennessee State University on Saturday afternoon, giving the Screaming Eagles an Ohio Valley Conference road swing sweep and the team’s fourth win in a row.
Coming off a thrilling overtime victory at Tennessee Tech University on Thursday, USI Women’s Basketball (13-4, 7-1 OVC) finished off its third OVC weekly sweep of the conference season. Saturday was USI’s first win at Tennessee State (3-14, 2-6 OVC) since the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, which was USI’s first year competing at the Division-I level. Plus, Saturday’s triumph kept the Screaming Eagles at the top of the OVC standings alongside Western Illinois University.
Saturday’s contest was highlighted by senior guard Ali Saunders‘ 29-point performance, which is her second-best scoring output in a USI uniform behind her career-high 35 points from earlier this season at home against Morehead State University. Saunders’ 29 points marked her second consecutive 20-point effort, the fourth time scoring 20-plus in the last five games, and the fifth time dropping 20 or more in OVC play. The guard scored 23 of her 29 points in the second half on Saturday. The senior was 9-17 from the floor with a pair of three-pointers and went a perfect 9-9 at the free-throw line. Saunders also corralled five rebounds.
Another notable performance came from junior guard Shannon Blacher, who notched 14 points on 6-12 shooting for her second double-digit scoring game out of the last three outings. Blacher helped USI chip away at Tennessee State during the middle of the game and hit a big three in the fourth quarter. Junior forward Chloe Gannon posted 10 points and 10 boards for her second double-double of the season. Junior guard Sophia Loden also had 10 points with nine rebounds, coming up a rebound shy toward an eighth double-double on the year.
As a team, USI shot 38 percent (24-63) overall with four three-pointers and went a perfect 100 percent at the foul line with 20 makes in 20 attempts. The last time USI went perfect at the free-throw line with at least 15 attempts was February 9, 2023, at Tennessee Tech (18-18). The last time the Eagles were 100 percent at the foul line with at least 20 attempts was January 16, 2014, against Saint Joseph’s College (22-22). The Eagles also won the rebounding battle on Saturday, 44-35.
Tennessee State, which had three double-figure scorers on Saturday, shot 37 percent (23-62) from the floor and 38 percent (8-21) from beyond the arc. The Tigers were 13-16 for 81 percent at the charity stripe.
In a back-and-forth start to Saturday’s contest, Blacher and Gannon each scored a pair of field goals in the early minutes. However, Tennessee State led 10-8 through the first five minutes. After the Tigers built a 15-10 lead late in the first period, USI finished with a 7-0 run to lead 17-15 at the end of the opening quarter.
Tennessee State jumped out in front early on in the second quarter, but Blacher scored a layup to knot the game at 19 at the 7:33 mark of the frame. The Tigers then went on an 8-0 run to grab a 27-19 lead. Despite a three-point play by Blacher later in the second, Tennessee State pushed its lead to double figures, 35-24, with 1:49 left in the first half. Saunders tallied a couple of makes from the floor down the stretch of the second quarter to help bring USI within seven, 35-28, at halftime.
Out of the break, Loden and Gannon scored in back-to-back possessions for USI to bring the Screaming Eagles within one possession, 35-32. The Tigers responded and pushed their lead back to eight, 40-32. However, the Eagles had an answer themselves. Saunders helped spark a 12-0 USI run, scoring eight points during the run to propel the Screaming Eagles in front, 44-40, with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Tennessee State closed back in, but Saunders remained in control with her second three-point play of the period. USI led by one, 49-48, through 30 minutes of action.
The seesaw battle continued into the start of the fourth quarter, as Saunders continued to assert her scoring ability for the Screaming Eagles. With USI up by two, 59-57, and less than five minutes left, Loden scored inside to give the Eagles a two-possession advantage. USI’s lead later grew to five after vital free throws from Loden. The Tigers fought back to tie the game at 65 with two minutes to go. Seconds later, Saunders had the answer with another three-point play. USI cashed in on late free throws to seal the gutsy road win and complete the road swing sweep.
The Screaming Eagles will return home to Liberty Arena for the start of a season-long four-game homestand next week. The homestand will stretch over the next two weeks until the end of January.
Thursday’s home game against Eastern Illinois University begins at 5 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear white to help white out Liberty Arena. The first 500 students in attendance receive a free t-shirt courtesy of Pepsi.
Eagles tough out win against Tigers to complete Tennessee swing sweep
Young breaks USI freshman record
Young set a new USI freshman mark in the mile as he finished 15th out of 59 competitors with a time of four minutes, 11.37 seconds. The previous mark of 4:11.66 was set by Silas Winders at the 2021 Samford Open.
The Screaming Eagles had seven runners post finishes at the Vanderbilt Open on Saturday. Junior Cole Hess, sophomore Griffen Wheeler and senior Isaac Stanford were 29th, 31st and 36th, respectively, in the mile, while junior Alex Nolan, senior Dominick Beine and sophomore Layden Wagoner were 21st, 22nd and 30th, respectively, in the 3,000 meters.
Nolan’s 3,000-meter time of 8:17.26 was less than half a second ahead of Beine’s time of 8:17.67 as the duo finished in the upper half of the 59-competitor field.
USI has a pair of meets lined up on the schedule next weekend. The Eagles are scheduled to compete at the Crossroads of America Invitational in Indianapolis January 23-24 as well as the PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic in Louisville, Kentucky on January 23.
The Word 120 , Truthfulness Matters
Truthfulness Matters by Jerome Stewart
Telling the truth is a god-fearing attribute. Proverbs chapter 23 vs. 23 says; “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” In the book of Numbers chapter 23 vs. 19 the bible says; “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, And will He not make it good?”
God sent Jesus into the world, to save us, and the power of His truth can be found throughout the four gospels. John 1 vs. 14 says; And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John chapter 8 vss. 31 & 32 says; “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him; “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you will know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Irrespective of the time period whether it’s related to the word of God are anything else, the LORD wants mankind to understand and respect the meaning of truthfulness.
Proverbs 12 vs. 22 says; “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.” Telling lies is a demonic form of behavior. Jesus emphasized that in John chapter 8 vs. 44 when those in attendance did not want to accept what Jesus had to say.
In vss. 42 and 43 the bible says; Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.” So what was the problem with their hearing?
Vss. 44 and 45 Jesus says; “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell you the truth, you do not believe Me.”
Romans 1 vs. 18 says; “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” Man will say otherwise because he has a track record of un-truthfulness. Follow Jesus!
Opportunity to Acquire a Legacy Online News Publication: City-County Observer
For over two decades, the City-County Observer has been a recognizable and trusted name in local digital journalism. Built during a time when community-focused reporting mattered most, the Observer established itself as a platform for government transparency, civic dialogue, and independent reporting. Today, it presents a rare opportunity: the chance to acquire a legacy online newspaper with an established brand, existing readership, and significant growth potential.
A Recognized Name with Community Credibility
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For the right buyer, the City-County Observer is more than a website—it is a foundation. One that can be revitalized, expanded, and positioned for long-term success in the future of local media.
If interested, please contact citycountyobserver@live.com, or 8127748012
Hoosier History Highlights
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Dr. Sheila Huff to keynote USI MLK, Jr. Luncheon Celebration
Dr. Sheila Huff, former Director of Strategic Engagements for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC)
What: The University of Southern Indiana will host a presentation by Dr. Sheila Huff, honoring the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as part of its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Celebration Luncheon.
Huff will be available for media interviews pre-presentation.
When: The Luncheon Celebration will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, January 19. Doors will open at 10:15 a.m.
Indiana hemp drug ban clears first hurdle
The legislation matches a federal measure some advocates predict will ‘decimate’ the industry — then sets out regulations for what’s left.
Indiana lawmakers seek to align state law with a recently enacted federal ban on intoxicating and synthetic hemp products — over opposition from the burgeoning delta-8 industry.
The lengthy, complex legislation also would regulate less potent products that do pass legal muster.
But, “there’s going to be no demand,” for products under the proposed threshold, asserted Justin Swanson, representing the Midwest Hemp Council and 3Chi, a THC product retailer.
THC is the active ingredient in marijuana.
Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, confessed in committee Thursday that he’d rather “eliminate all these things from the planet, period,” but that his proposal “is what’s possible.”
His Senate Bill 250 would mimic Congress’ closure of what Freeman described as the “Farm Bill loophole,” referring to the 2018 legislation that defined legal hemp as any part of the plant containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. That definition allowed products containing delta-8, THCA and other intoxicating cannabinoids to proliferate, including in Indiana.
A stopgap federal funding law enacted in November specifies that all forms of THC count. It also caps THC products to just 0.4 milligrams per container, and outright bans lab-made ones.
“I think (that) is what was intended by the federal government in 2018 when they first passed the Farm Bill; I think it’s what everybody had in mind when that language was then copied here in Indiana,” said Chris Daniels, the senior traffic safety resource prosecutor at the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council. “… The goal was very low potency THC.”
One industry group supported the changes.
“It is imperative that Indiana act during the 2026 legislative session to harmonize with federal policy,” said Cory Harris, representing the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp. “Failure to do so will mean that Indiana’s policy will be less stringent than federal law, and therefore equate to Indiana being a legal cannabis market.”
The federal provisions are set to take effect in November. Freeman’s bill replicates those provisions, but sets an effective date four months earlier, in July.
“It’s premature for Indiana to codify federal law that will decimate an entire industry in the state,” Swanson said. “The landscape is still not settled.”
He noted U.S. Rep. Jim Baird — a Republican representing Indiana — filed a proposal pushing the federal ban’s effective date back to 2028. President Donald Trump also signed an executive order to speed up reclassification of marijuana as a less dangerous, less restricted drug.
Swanson said his clients do support a “responsible regulatory framework,” telling lawmakers that “the status quo is not acceptable for anybody.”
Freeman’s bill spends dozens of pages regulating the low-THC “hemp-derived cannabinoid products” that would be expressly legalized — notably, with a long-sought 21-plus age requirement.
It also puts Indiana’s Alcohol and Tobacco Commission in charge of regulating the industry that remains, implementing four types of permits for manufacturers, distributers, retailers and carriers. They’d be banned from advertising within 1,000 feet of schools, playgrounds and more, with retailers barred from operating within the same radius.
Retailers wouldn’t be able to deliver their products or let customers consume them on-site. The sale of products online would also be illegal — another sticking point for advocates.
Sun King Brewery CEO and Co-Founder Dave Colt said his homegrown company spent months and more than $100,000 dollars on equipment, research and development for its THC seltzers. Amid a nationwide downturn in alcohol sales, the seltzers have allowed Sun King to retain its staff and even grow.
“We also make products for at least a dozen small Hoosier businesses as well. Without this additional revenue, we would be forced to lay people off and dramatically downsize our business,” Colt testified. “We do believe strongly the industry wants clear regulations that meet consumer demand.”
Other provisions deal with containers, labeling and testing.
A fiscal impact analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency estimated a half-million-dollar financial hit annually to the ATC to administer and enforce the proposal. The agency will need to hire at least one additional excise officer in each of the six districts plus Marion County to investigate complaints associated with the new regulatory framework.
There will be additional expenditures for law enforcement training, purchases, and online databases, the analysis noted.
Costs could be offset from the permit and other fees collected. The measure would direct 70% of the earnings to ATC administrative efforts, 20% to enforcement work, 5% to the state’s 988 suicide and crisis hotline and 5% to the general fund.
If all tobacco sales certificate holders apply for a retail permit, for instance, their application fees would generate $2.1 million. If they’re all approved, the state would earn an additional $4.6 million, per LSA’s analysis.
The state’s seed commissioner would handle permitting for hemp growers and handlers.
Freeman also included a sentence preventing Indiana Code from immediately reflecting federal reclassification of marijuana, if that goes through.
“This bill simply says that we would not automatically follow what the federal government does, that we would decide, 150 of us — that we would make that decision, not the federal government for us,” Freeman told his colleagues.
The Senate Commerce and Technology committee also consented to an amendment removing an excise tax, since any provisions raising revenue must begin in the House.
The revised legislation was approved on a party-line vote of 7-2, but it must next get through the finance-focused Senate Appropriations committee before heading to the chamber’s floor.
Previous efforts to both ban and regulate intoxicating hemp products have failed.
Asked about this year’s chances, Senate Republican leader Rodric Bray told reporters, “I don’t have that crystal ball,” but added, “I think the bill right now is in pretty good shape.”
“I think we’d just like, in Indiana, some certainty as to these products so that the people manufacturing and selling them know kind of what our laws are,” he continued, “and also to build in some really significant protections for, in particular, our youth across the state.”
Company will pay $107,000 to resolve allegations it deceived Hoosiers about processes for securing unclaimed property
Indiana is leading the way in holding unclaimed ‘finder’ companies accountable
A California-based company specializing in “finding” people’s unclaimed property will pay $107,000 to settle allegations that it deceived Hoosiers through illegal consumer solicitations and fee agreements.
“This is a good time to remind Hoosiers they can easily and quickly search IndianaUnclaimed.gov on their own,” Attorney General Rokita said. “And there is no charge for doing so. While finder companies are allowed to offer paid services, we are committed to ensuring they follow the law.”
U.S. Claims Services Inc. — doing business as Payne Richards and Associates — allegedly made false statements in solicitations to consumers. The company allegedly stated that consumers’ unclaimed property was held by “a third-party escrow agent” when, in fact, it is the Attorney General’s Unclaimed Property Division that holds the property.
Additionally, the company’s fee agreements allegedly failed to include language required by Indiana law informing consumers that a claim for property held by the Attorney General may be made without charge through the Attorney General’s office.
The settlement requires the company to refund the $107,874.67 in fees previously collected from 435 consumers. The money is being paid to the Attorney General’s office, which will then distribute checks to the affected consumers.
Going forward, the settlement requires the company to immediately correct its solicitations and to include the required notification language in its fee agreements.
Attorney General Rokita is reminding Hoosiers they have multiple ways of reaching his office’s Unclaimed Property Division on their own. They may go to IndianaUnclaimed.gov, text CLAIM to 46220, call 1-866-462-5246 or send email to updmail@atg.in.gov.
Unclaimed property may include old bank accounts, forgotten wages, uncashed utility refunds, unclaimed insurance proceeds and funds from many other sources.
In 2025, Attorney General Rokita ’s Unclaimed Property team shattered its 2023 record by returning more than $88 million.
The settlement with U.S. Claims Services Inc. is linked here.
Aces Set for Road Matchup at Indiana State
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – On Sunday, the University of Evansville women’s basketball team returns to the floor for an in-state rivalry, heading to Terre Haute to battle Indiana State. Tip-off is set for 1 PM CT.
Series History
– Sunday marks the 62nd meeting between Evansville and Indiana State
– Indiana State leads the series 41-20
– Last season, the Aces and Sycamores split the season series, with each team winning at home
Hitting Her Stride
– Eastern Illinois transfer Georgia Cox has become a key frontcourt piece for the Aces over the last few weeks
– Despite playing 6.1 minutes per game in the first 12 contests of the season, Cox has seen 13.2 minutes per game in the last five
– Against Murray State, Cox scored eight points in 13 minutes for her highest scoring output since the season-opener at SEMO
– Cox had a career game against Illinois State, recording her first career double-double. Cox matched a season-high with 11 points, while snagging a career best 10 rebounds
– Cox earned the start against UIC on Friday and delivered, again scoring 11 points while shooting 5-for-8 from the field
Double Figure Machine
– Since arriving on campus ahead of last season, Camryn Runner has scored in double figures in 46 of 49 games
– She is one of 23 players in the country with 46+ games in double figures over the last two seasons
– Runner is one of four players in the MVC this season with 16 games scoring in double figures
– Over the last two seasons, Runner leads the MVC in double figure scoring performances