Ohio Valley Conference

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball picked up a dominant 90-66 first-round victory over Tennessee State University to open the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Screaming Eagles improved to 21-11 overall (12-8 OVC) and advanced to Thursday's quarterfinal round to face no. 4 seed University of Arkansas at Little Rock for another 12:30 p.m. tipoff from Ford Center in downtown Evansville. Tennessee State ended its season 10-21 (6-14 OVC).
 
Southern Indiana burst out of the gate on Thursday, opening up a quick 17-2 advantage after 17 unanswered points. Graduate forward Meredith Raley led the early charge with eight of the team's first 17 points, including a massive three-point shot that forced Tennessee State into a timeout. The barrage continued through the rest of the quarter, as the Eagles scored 35 points on a blistering 72.2 percent from the field. Leading 35-10 after the first quarter, USI's 35 points marked a season high for points in a quarter for the Eagles.
 
After a triple by junior guard Ali Saunders early in the second quarter, Tennessee State found some life in the early minutes of the second with a 9-0 run. A layup by Raley stopped the Tigers' run. The Screaming Eagles responded and started firing again on the offensive end, outscoring the Tigers 18-16 for the remainder of the first half. Saunders had a tremendous second quarter, scoring eight points on 75 percent efficiency. Saunders had 14 first-half points, while Raley had a game-high 18 points with USI going into the halftime locker room up 56-33. The 56 first-half points matched a season high for points in a half by USI.
 
Out of the intermission, defenses made things difficult for both offenses. Tennessee State scored twice over the first four minutes, while Southern Indiana went scoreless for the first 4:30 of the second half. Sophomore forward Chloe Gannon snapped the drought and got USI on the second-half scoreboard with an offensive putback basket. Senior guard Vanessa Shafford heated up later in the third quarter, draining back-to-back three-pointers to spark the offense into gear. USI closed the third up 72-49.
 
Tennessee State started the fourth quarter strong, utilizing an 11-2 run over the first three and a half minutes of the fourth to climb back within 14, 74-60, and forcing USI into a timeout. The timeout kicked USI into action with a 10-0 run of its own that started with a second-chance basket from graduate forward Madi Webb. Shafford and Saunders continued to shoot the ball well late in the fourth, as USI stretched its lead back up to 26, 88-62, with 2:44 remaining. Even though the Tigers kept fighting, the scoring margin never dropped back below 20 in the final minutes.
 
Southern Indiana shot 60 percent (36-60) for the game, just short of the season best 62.5 percent in January at Southeast Missouri State University. USI went for nearly 53 percent (10-19) from beyond the arc and 73 percent (8-11) at the foul line. The Eagles controlled the glass, 42-30. Raley dropped a game-high 22 points on 9-9 shooting with seven rebounds. Shafford tallied 20 points and seven rebounds. Saunders matched a season-high 19 points and eight assists.
 
With Wednesday's performance, Raley jumped up to third on USI Women's Basketball's career scoring list. Raley passed Anna Hackert (2011-15, 1,607 points). Raley is up to 1,626 career points.
 
Tennessee State shot for just under 35 percent (24-69) from the floor and 30 percent (9-3) from three-point range. The Tigers were 9-12 for 75 percent at the free-throw stripe. Freshman guard Somah Kamara led Tennessee State with 17 points. Senior guard Saniah Parker scored 13 points.

#7 WESTERN ILLINOIS 78, #6 UT MARTIN 72
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - In a thrilling showdown at the Ford Center, Western Illinois pulled off a 78-72 victory over UT Martin on Wednesday afternoon, securing a hard-fought win in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. The Leathernecks leaned on standout performances from Raegan McCowan and Addi Brownfield, using a strong fourth-quarter push to fend off the Skyhawks.

Western Illinois wasted no time getting into rhythm, coming out aggressive and efficient offensively. The Leathernecks put up 23 points in the opening frame, knocking down shots from beyond the arc and attacking the paint with confidence. McCowan, who finished with a game-high 27 points, set the tone early with her scoring versatility, knocking down mid-range jumpers and finishing inside.

UT Martin kept pace with solid shooting of their own, trailing 23-20 after the first quarter. The Leathernecks' ability to force turnovers and turn defense into offense helped them maintain an edge, with Brownfield and McCowan both capitalizing on fast-break opportunities.

The second quarter saw UT Martin make a push, outscoring Western Illinois 18-15 in the second quarter to tie the game at halftime, 38-38. The Leathernecks struggled at times with ball control, turning the ball over six times in the period, allowing the Skyhawks to generate easy transition points.

Despite the turnovers, WIU found key contributions from Mia Nicastro, who finished with 16 points and six rebounds, and Mallory McDermott, who added 11 points. Nicastro was particularly effective in the paint, battling for second-chance opportunities and making key defensive plays.

UT Martin's Shae Littleford provided a spark for the Skyhawks with 20 points, including a pair of three-pointers, keeping the game within reach heading into halftime.

The third quarter turned into a tightly contested affair as both teams exchanged leads multiple times. UT Martin briefly surged ahead behind efficient shooting from Anaya Brown and Daejah Richmond, but Western Illinois stayed composed. McCowan continued to be the go-to scorer, hitting a crucial three-pointer midway through the period, while Brownfield facilitated the offense, dishing out seven assists to keep the Leathernecks in rhythm.

When it mattered most, Western Illinois delivered. Allie Meadows and Mia Nicastro had big shots late in the game to help the Leathernecks advance to tomorrow's quarterfinal round. Meadows would hit a three to give the Leathernecks the lead at 61-60 as WIU was trailing 60-58. Nicastro would draw a flagrant one foul right after that and would knock down both free throws as well as a turnaround jumper in the lane putting WIU up 65-61 in the fourth quarter with five minutes to go. The Leathernecks would control the rest of the fourth quarter, outscoring UT Martin 23-12 to seal the win. McCowan remained unstoppable, attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line, where she was a perfect 4-for-4.

Defensively, the Leathernecks stepped up, limiting UT Martin's second-chance points and forcing timely turnovers. Brownfield was particularly disruptive, recording three steals and finishing strong at the rim in transition. The Leathernecks ability to control the glass down the stretch also proved to be a difference-maker. They finished the night with a 34-27 rebounding advantage, led by McCowan (9 rebounds) and Brownfield (8 rebounds).

Brownfield (15 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists), Nicastro (16 points, 6 rebounds), and McDermott (11 points) all played crucial roles in the win for Western Illinois. 

WIU forced 16 UT Martin turnovers and picked up seven steals, leading to 12 points off turnovers..