VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers faced another tough Region 24 battle Saturday night facing off against No. 7-ranked Wabash Valley College in a battle of the last two undefeated teams in Region 24 play.

The Lady Blazers held their own for most of the first half but were undone by a massive 21-0 scoring run by the Lady Warriors as Wabash Valley cruised late to a 125-91 victory over the Lady Blazers.

The game looked to get away from the Blazers early, with Wabash Valley setting the tone off the tip with an 8-0 run to begin the game and another 9-0 run in the first quarter to take a 19-5 lead.

Vincennes would answer back and get going offensively to cut the Wabash Valley lead down to five at 24-19 before WVC extended their lead back to eight before the end of the period to lead 30-22 after the first 10 minutes of play.

VU continued to battle into the second quarter, cutting the deficit down to six at 35-29 before Wabash Valley completely took control of the game with a 21-0 scoring run to lead 56-29.

The Lady Blazers looked to answer back before the end of the first half but were unable to put together a run of their own with the Lady Warriors leading 65-35 at the halftime break.

Vincennes again looked to cut into the big deficit in the third quarter but were again undone by a 12-3 scoring run as the Warriors held an 83-47 advantage.

The two teams would trade baskets before the Lady Blazers ended the third quarter with five straight points to cut the WVC lead down to 94-66 heading into the final 10 minutes of action.

Wabash Valley looked to put the game away early in the fourth quarter, opening the period on a 9-2 scoring run to lead 103-68.

After another late 8-0 scoring run by WVC but the lead at 113-74 the Lady Blazers closed out the game strong, finishing the game on a 9-2 scoring run but ultimately falling 125-91 and suffering their first loss in Region 24 play this season.

The Lady Trailblazers had five scorers in double figures, led by freshman Destinee Hooks (Indianapolis, Ind.) who caught fire from three in the fourth quarter to finish with 17 points and five rebounds.

Freshmen Makyla Tucker (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Giavonnie Belton (Indianapolis, Ind.) each cross over the double figures mark off the bench with Tucker ending with 15 points and four steals, while Belton connected on three shots from three-point range for 14 points and a pair of assists.

Sophomore Brie Miller (Bainbridge, Ind.) recorded her second consecutive double-double, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds.

Sophomore Maycee Lange (Vincennes, Ind.) just missed out on a double-double of her own, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks on the evening.

The Lady Trailblazers will now have a week to prepare for their next game when the Region 24 schedule flips over and the Blazers look to bounce back against Rend Lake College inside the P.E. Complex, Saturday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. eastern.

Vincennes defeated Rend Lake College 78-61 earlier this season in Ina, Ill. in December with the help of a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double by freshman Taylor Guess (Indianapolis, Ind.)

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 8-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers headed into Saturday night’s game with Wabash Valley College locked in a three-way tie for the top spot in the Region 24 standings with the Warriors and Olney Central College.

VU looked to answer the call and close out the week strong in this first place matchup Saturday night in the Physical Education Complex and were able to ride a 48-22 rebounding advantage to an 80-62 victory over Wabash Valley.

The Trailblazers came out of the gates strong and ended up nearly going wire-to-wire over the Warriors, using an early 11-2 scoring run to take a quick 11-4 lead before growing the lead to double digits at 19-8.

VU would later use a 12-0 scoring run to pick up their largest lead of the first half at 37-22 before the Warriors closed out the opening period on a 9-2 scoring run.

The Trailblazers headed into the locker room break still holding on to a 39-31 advantage over Wabash Valley.

Coming out of the locker room the Trailblazers again looked to set the tone early in the second half, scoring the first six points of the final 20 minute period to lead 45-31.

The two teams would trade baskets throughout most of the second half, with VU slowly increasing their lead, eventually gaining the largest lead of the night at 75-52.

Wabash Valley fought late but were unable to put together a big scoring run as the Blazers came away with the 80-62 victory over the Warriors.

“When we move the ball and our post players post and seal and we’re running our actions right, we are hard to deal with,” VU Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin said. “In a day in age when everyone says it’s all about running around and firing threes, they have a hard time guarding us. And when we are sharp enough, they have a really hard time guarding us. We were presenting that early in the game and throughout the game and it was very difficult for them to handle.”

EVANSVILLE, Ind.- The University of Southern Indiana Women’s Swimming and Diving team applied the pressure in a victory over Rose-Hulman University on Saturday afternoon at the USI Aquatic Center. The Screaming Eagles won in convincing fashion, 172-54.
 
Senior Jordan Ambrose (Mt.Vernon, Indiana) was recognized pregame for her magnificent career. Head coach Cameron Kainer quoted her as “a strong leader for our team and has been a face of kindness and welcomeness to everyone with great determination and grace.” Ambrose has battled an injury all season but was cleared to participate in her final competition at the USI Aquatic Center.
 
Results
The women took care of business winning all 13 events on the day. The Eagles won the meet by 118 points, which marks the biggest margin of victory in school history for both sides. Another collective effort, saw ten different Eagles contributing to first-place finishes.
 
The meet started with a blazing time from freshman Caiya Cooper (LaPorte, Indiana), freshman Hallie Meier (Plainfield, Indiana), sophomore Makana Goss (Noblesville, Indiana), and sophomore Sarah-Catherine Dawson (Prospect, Kentucky) in the 200 yard medley relay (1:52.91). Cooper also took over in the 200 yard freestyle (1:57.60) event off a quick turn-around.
 
Freshman Reagan Holmes (Henderson, Nevada) is starting to ramp it up at the right time of the year. She won both of her individual events convincingly in the 50 yard freestyle (25.39) and the 100 yard freestyle (55.60). Another steady force was freshman Hayden Shurtz(Ft.Wayne, Indiana) with wins in the 200 yard IM (2:12.26) and the 100 yard breaststroke (1:06.20).
 
Four other Eagles earned victories in their respective individual events in Ella Johnson(Owensboro, Kentucky) in the 100 yard butterfly (1:03.00), sophomore Mattilynn Smith(Morgantown, Kentucky) in the 1000 yard freestyle (11:00.66), Goss in the 100 yard backstroke (1:02.37), and Meier in the 50 yard freestyle (5:18.33). Ambrose added an impressive third place finish in the 50 yard freestyle event (28.52) after coming off an injury.
 
Freshman Maranda Uttke (Grafton, Wisconsin) was consistent taking home both the one (218.85) and three meter (207.90) dive events. Cooper, Holmes, Meier, and Johnson finished the meet strong edging the competition in the 400 yard freestyle relay (3:41.45).
 
Next up for the Eagles:
The diving squads are back in action next Saturday in a rematch with the University of Illinois at Chicago. The meet will take place in Chicago at 11 a.m.

EVANSVILLE, Ind.- The University of Southern Indiana Men’s Swimming and Diving team helps complete the sweep with a victory over Rose-Hulman University on Saturday afternoon at the USI Aquatic Center. The Screaming Eagles took care of business by a score of 150-87.
 
Senior Donnevun Banks (Evansville, Indiana) was recognized pregame for his decorated athletic career and contributions to USI. Head coach Cameron Kainer quoted the transfer senior as “a positive addition to our team and an athlete with a strong work ethic on and off the boards.” Banks joined the Eagles last January from Maryville University. He’s been a consistent force for the diving squad as displayed by his performance today and all year.
 
Results
The men were locked in winning 11 out of 13 events on the day. Another collective attack resulted in ten different Eagles winning a heat. In the ultra intense event, freshman Cole Baker (Springville, Indiana) broke the 50 yard freestyle school record (20.84).
 
Sophomore Jack Hannon (Lowell, Indiana) is breaking out at the right time winning two individual events in the 1000 yard freestyle (10:17.85) and the 100 yard freestyle (48.61). Sophomore Garrett Crist (Bargersville, Indiana) came close to the school record in the 200 yard IM (1:56.83).
 
On his day of celebration, Banks remained focused winning both the one meter (249.75) and the three meter diving events (269.10). The 269.10 score in the three-meter marks Banks personal best and just two points off the school record.
 

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana Swimming and Diving Squads are hosting Rose-Hulman University at the USI Aquatic Center on Saturday for the lone home meet of the season together. The Screaming Eagles will also celebrate senior day for Jordan Ambrose (Mt.Vernon, Indiana) and Donnevun Banks (Evansville, Indiana).
 
The meet is slated to kick off at 1 p.m. with senior day festivities starting at 12:45. Doors will open at 11:30 and tickets will be sold at the door for five dollars via cash or card.
 
Ambrose is from the area, where she attended Evansville Reitz High School claiming All-City honors four times between both cross-country and swimming. In the 2022-23 season, she competed in six events for USI in freestyle, freestyle relay, and medley relay and earned the Summit League Academic Honor Roll award. Her personal best in the 50 yard freestyle was set at the Summit League Championships (25.33). Her 100 yard freestyle best was set against Eastern Illinois (58.36). Ambrose is projected to compete in the 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard breaststroke on Saturday. 
 
Banks is an Evansville native, where he competed in both gymnastics and diving at North High School. Before transferring to USI, he spent three seasons at Maryville University (St.Louis, Missouri). In January of the 2022-23 season, Banks transferred to USI where he immediately made an impact setting a school record in three-meter dive at the time (245.70) on the biggest stage at the Summit League Championships. He also recorded an impressive one-meter score (249.90) that ranks second on the all-time record book. Banks will compete in the one and three meter dive events on Saturday.
 
Women
The USI women’s team is coming off a convincing win at conference rival Eastern Illinois University (149-109) last weekend. USI had six different swimmers that contributed to first-place finishes. Freshman Hayden Shurtz (Ft.Wayne, Indiana) and sophomore Sarah-Catherine Dawson (Prospect, Kentucky) led the way with two wins each.

The diving team also impressed at the past event against the University of Evansville. Freshman Maranda Uttke (Grafton, Wisconsin) collected two new school records in the one-meter (225.50) and the three-meter (220.05)
 
Men
The men’s squad is coming off arguably the best meet of the season at EIU last weekend. USI dominated winning (168-93) behind a collective effort. Eight different swimmers contributed to first place-finishes. Freshman Cole Baler (Springville, Tennessee), sophomore Garrett Crist (Bargersville, Indiana), and freshman Sam Smith (Trafalgar, Indiana) all went a perfect four-for-four, placing first in each of their events.

The diving team took the individual win in the three-meter event against UE their last time out, but fell short in the one-meter. Freshman Nathan Deputy (Evansville, Indiana) won the three-meter event breaking the school record (271.88).

EVANSVILLE, Ind.- The University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf team was voted to finish eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll. The Screaming Eagles will open the season at Mill Springs, North Carolina to compete in the Bright Creek Intercollegiate, hosted by Gardner-Webb on February 24-25. 
 
The reigning OVC champs, Morehead State University emerged as the favorite in the poll with five first-place votes. University of Arkansas at Little Rock finished just behind with four first-place votes. Rounding out the top five is Tennessee Tech University, Western Illinois University, and Lindenwood University. 
 
The bottom four in the poll was Eastern Illinois University, Chicago State University, USI, and Tennessee State University, respectively.
 
USI will travel in all four regular season matches that features events hosted by Gardner-Webb University in Mill Springs, North Carolina (February 24-25), Samford University in Huntsville, Alabama (March 4-6) Northern Kentucky in Batavia, Ohio (March 25-26), Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana (April 7-8). The regular season leads up to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship in Tunica, Mississippi on April 14-16.
 
Ann Sullivan takes the reigns as the new head coach. Sullivan previously coached at Brenau University where she led the Tigers for two years. “We look forward to teeing it up at the Bright Creek Collegiate next month and start the season strong in our first of five tournaments this spring,” says Sullivan. “We are also excited to compete for the 2024 Women’s Golf OVC Championship this April in Tunica, Mississippi, and we hope to improve on last year’s finish.”
 
USI got their feet wet in their first season of NCAA Division I, after finishing sixth in the OVC Conference Championship last year. The season was highlighted by a sixth place finish at The Julie, hosted by Northern Kentucky and a fifth place finish at the Jan Weaver Invitational, hosted by Murray State. 
 
The Eagles are led by a trio of seniors Halle Gutwein (DeMotte, Indiana), Haylee Exline (Poseyville, Indiana), and Katelyn Sayyalinh (Rockford, Illinois). All three are OVC Commissioner’s honor roll members. Junior Baileigh Schneider (Huntingburg, Indiana) is another pivotal contributor who won OVC Golfer of the Week last March.
 
The squad also brings back sophomore Sydni Thurlow (Belleville, Illinois), along with the additions of freshman Ashlynn Weir (Evansville, Indiana) and Alexis Wymer (Bridgeport, Illinois)