The fifth-ranked University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team blew past sixth-ranked Northern Kentucky University, 93-74, at the Physical Activities Center Thursday night. The Screaming Eagles climbed into a first place and raised their record 17-3 overall and 10-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. NKU falls to 13-4 overall, 9-2 GLVC.

USI hit six more field goals on 20 more shots and caused 29 NKU turnovers for a win that was decided by halftime. The Norse had an early 2-0 lead, but USI used a 12-0 run to propel it to a lead it would never surrender.

NKU bounced back to get within five points at 38-33 with 3:18 to play in the first half. USI responded with a 16-2 run in the final three minutes of the half to lead 52-35 at halftime. The Eagles outscored the Norse in the second half, 41-39 building a lead of 24 points (63-39) on the way.

Sophomore forward Jessica Stuckman (Quincy, Illinois) led the Eagles with 35 points, one point away from tying a career-high, and nine rebounds. Junior center Africa Sherrod (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) followed Stuckman with 14 points and six rebounds, while senior forward Casey Hughes (Bicknell, Indiana) added 13 points and senior guard Jasmine Moore (Chicago, Illinois) dropped in 11 points of her own.

Hughes' 13 points moved her into USI's top five all-time with 1,271 career points. She passes Peggy Witsman, who had 1,267 between 1982 and 1986.

The next action for the Eagles will be on Saturday, January 26, when Bellarmine University visits the PAC for a 5:15 p.m. contest. USI will round out the three-game homestand with Homecoming on Saturday, February 2, when it hosts the University of Missouri-St. Louis at 5:15 p.m.