The University of Southern Indiana women’s basketball team returned to the win column Saturday with a 65-41 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over Quincy University. The Screaming Eagles improved to 11-5 (7-3 GLVC) with the effort, while the Hawks fell to 6-12 (2-8 GLVC).
USI collected double-digit scoring performances from senior guard Ashley Johnson, sophomore forward Ashlynn Brown and freshman forward Hannah Haithcock. Johnson and Brown each finished with 12 points, Haithcock with 10.
The Eagles got the afternoon started with a 21-10 first quarter tally that opened with a five-point burst from a Johnson three-pointer and a fastbreak layup from junior guard Emma DeHart, then closed on an 8-0 run capped off by a last-second three-ball from freshman guard Addy Blackwell that represented USI’s largest lead to that point.
Quincy was able to close the gap to seven points just after the midway point of the second frame before the Eagles strung together another run of 8-3, again concluded by a last-second Blackwell three-point basket, allowing USI to carry a 14-point, 37-23 lead into the break. Johnson and Brown led into the break with eight points apiece while the senior guard added five assists.
The intermission was kind to the Eagles, as USI collected an 18-5 advantage in the third frame, aided by a 12-0 run that lasted over six minutes before being broken up by a Quincy three-pointer with 33 seconds remaining in the period. Seven Eagles got on the board in the quarter, led by freshman forward Tara Robbe with all five of her points in the contest coming during the shutout stretch.
With a 27-point lead heading into the final quarter, USI extended to its game-high 32-point advantage before taking its foot off the gas, allowing a 7-0 run from the Hawks in the final four-plus minutes of action.
While Johnson and Brown led the offense, senior guard Kiara Moses did the work under the glass picking up a team-high eight rebounds, which tied her season high set against Southwest Baptist University earlier this month. Addy Blackwell locked down the Hawks defensively, leading the game with five steals which is also a new season high
USI Women’s Basketball heads back out on the road next week to visit the University of Missouri-St. Louis Thursday, followed by Lindenwood University, Saturday.
