USI (3-0, 3-0 GLVC) went 0-for-7 throughout the first five minutes of the contest; but trailed just 2-0 heading into the first media timeout. The Screaming Eagles, however, outscored the visiting Prairie Stars (1-1, 1-1 GLVC), 10-2, throughout the remainder of the opening period to build a 10-4 lead heading into the second stanza.
Turner scored nine of her team-high 13 points in the second period as USI extended its lead to 20-4 midway through the quarter.
USI, which led 32-13 at the break, got three points from Turner in an 8-0 run that extended the Eagles’ lead to 40-13 just over two minutes into the third quarter.
In addition to Turner, the Eagles got 10 points apiece from sophomore forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) and sophomore guard Addy Blackwell (Bloomington, Indiana). Senior guard Emma DeHart (Indianapolis, Indiana) added eight points for the Eagles, who got scoring contributions from 10 different players.
Sophomore guard Malea Jackson and junior guard Lauren Ladowski had 20 and 16 points, respectively, to lead the Prairie Stars, who fell to 1-1 overall and 1-1 in GLVC play.
USI’s defense in the first half ended up being the difference maker as the Eagles held the Stars to just 6-of-29 (.207) from the field and 1-of-10 (.100) from three-point range in the first 20 minutes. Illinois Springfield missed its first four shots of the third quarter and was just 6-of-16 (.375) from the field in the frame as USI removed all doubt about the outcome of the contest.
The Eagles, who improved to 20-0 all-time versus Illinois Springfield, return to action Saturday at 1 p.m. when they host GLVC East Division rival Lewis University at Screaming Eagles Arena. The Flyers (2-1, 2-1 GLVC) earned an 80-74 road win over the University of Indianapolis Thursday evening.
