SATURDAY'S SCORES
@Southern Indiana 72, Eastern Michigan 51
@Wright State 81,
Eastern Illinois 67
@Troy 71,
UT Martin 59
SOUTHERN INDIANA 72, EASTERN MICHIGAN 51
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball began its three-game homestand from Screaming Eagles Arena with a return to the win column on Saturday afternoon, posting a 72-51 victory against Eastern Michigan University.
The Screaming Eagles returned to the .500 mark with a 4-4 record after Saturday's win to snap a four-game skid. Eastern Michigan dropped to 1-7 after a fifth consecutive loss.
Southern Indiana jumped out to a fast start Saturday afternoon, converting at the foul line on two trips and knocking down four jumpers within the first four minutes. USI led 12-4 by the six-minute mark of the opening period. Senior forward Madi Webb (Bedford, Indiana) spearheaded the fast start, connecting on her first three shots for six quick points.
The Screaming Eagles' defense was also active early, forcing seven turnovers by Eastern Michigan in the first quarter. USI held Eastern Michigan scoreless for the last three minutes, leading to a 20-11 advantage for Southern Indiana heading into the second quarter.
USI's momentum from the end of the first quarter carried over into the start of the second period, as USI built a 7-0 run and continued to hold Eastern Michigan scoreless through the eight-minute mark. Southern Indiana extended its lead to 32-15 with four minutes left in the first half after drilling three triples. Two of the three-pointers came from senior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana), who cashed one in from several feet behind the perimeter.
The long-range treys kept falling for the Screaming Eagles, as junior guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) crossed into double figures scoring for the sixth straight game with a three of her own. Inside the final minute before halftime, a strong pump fake and drive by Raley gave USI a 37-19 lead at the intermission.
Out of the halftime locker room, defenses stood tall to begin the second half, but Southern Indiana went on a 9-0 run to increase its lead to 27 points, 48-21, by the halfway point of the third period. Then Webb joined Raley and Shafford in double figures with a basket.
Later on, USI sophomore guard Ali Saunders (Depauw, Indiana) got into a groove, making a three and finishing a second-chance putback. In the back half of the third quarter, Eastern Michigan produced a small run but was quickly quieted after Shafford scorched the net with consecutive makes from beyond the arc. USI carried a 62-33 lead to the fourth quarter, where Eastern Michigan made a push, but Southern Indiana put the final touches on the big victory.
For the game, Southern Indiana shot 36.7 percent (22-60) overall and sunk season-highs 10 three-pointers and 18 free throws. USI outrebounded Eastern Michigan, 47-37. Individually, Shafford paced the Screaming Eagles with 21 points, tying a season-high, with five triples and six boards. Raley and Webb also poured in season highs with 15 points apiece. The two each grabbed five rebounds as well. Saunders finished with eight points, five rebounds, and three assists. Redshirt senior guard Addy Blackwell (Bloomington, Indiana) had a solid game with seven points, three assists, and four steals.
Southern Indiana's defense made it a tough afternoon for Eastern Michigan, who was held to 28.6 percent (16-56) shooting and below 25 percent (7-29) from distance. Plus, the Screaming Eagles' defensive unit forced Eastern Michigan into 18 turnovers. The visiting Eagles from Eastern Michigan had two players score in double digits.
WRIGHT STATE 81, EASTERN ILLINOIS 67
DAYTON, Ohio - Eastern Illinois women's basketball played its fourth game in the span of a week as the Panthers had their two-game winning streak snapped on Saturday afternoon with an 81-67 road loss at Wright State.
Miah Monahan scored a career-high 27 points as the Panthers shot 50 percent in the opening quarter and held a one-point edge at 16-15 after 10-minutes of play.
In the second quarter Wright State began to warm-up from 3-point range hitting 5-of-9 in the quarter as they eventually connected on 12-of-26 from long range in the game.
Alexis Hutchinson was 6-of-8 from 3-point range, leading the Raiders with 32 points. Lauren Scott knocked down three 3-pointers to finish with 15 points.
The Panthers trailed 36-28 at the half as Wright State closed on an 11-2 run. The run continued to open the second half with a 7-0 spurt by the Raiders to push their lead to 15 with 7:39 left in the third quarter.
EIU trailed by as many as 18 points in the third quarter before trimming the lead down to nine points twice in the final minute of the quarter.
A bucket by Monahan with 9:51 to play in the game was the final time the Panthers cut the lead to single digits.
Macy McGlone joined Monahan in double figures with her sixth consecutive double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
EIU fell to 3-7 on the season. Wright State improved to 5-0 at home and 6-3 overall.
TROY 71, UT MARTIN 59
TROY, Ala. - The University of Tennessee at Martin women's basketball team hung tough with an athletic Troy squad on the road, but ultimately dropped the mid-major matchup by a final margin of 71-59.
Troy jumped out an early lead and never backed down in a contest in which both teams shot just over 40 percent from the field. The Skyhawks Achilles heel proved to be turnovers as the team's 25 mistakes led to several scoring opportunities which the Trojans cashed in for 26 points.
In spite of the team's turnover issues, the Skyhawks (1-7) battled until the final whistle while placing four players in double figures. Lexi Rubel and Kenley McCarn paced the team with 17 points each while combining for 13 rebounds. Anaya Brown also enjoyed a strong second half in which she scored 11 of her 13 points while adding six rebounds. Freshman Norah Clark rounded out the squad in double figures with 10 points off the bench.
Troy (1-6) picked up its first win of the season after a grueling non-conference slate – much like the Skyhawks. The Trojans saw three players score in double figures with Tai'Sheka Porchia tossing in a game-high 19 points while Nia Daniel (15 points) and Makayia Hallmon (12 points) also reached double-digits in the win.