For the first time since the 1998-99 season and only the second time in 10 seasons, the University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team finds itself in a 0-2 hole to start the season. The Screaming Eagles will try to put an end to the slide as they tip-off their 2002-03 Great Lakes Valley Conference schedule Saturday evening at the Sportcenter in Owensboro, Kentucky. Game time for the USI-Kentucky Wesleyan College match-up is slated for 5:15 p.m.

On the bright side for the Eagles, they have won 10 straight conference openers and have topped the Panthers in 16 straight meetings between the two clubs. USI's average margin of victory during its 16-game win streak over KWC is 17.7 points.

The Eagles will turn to senior forward/center Africa Sherrod (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) and junior forward Shajuan Lindsey (Midlothian, Illinois). Lindsey leads the team with 14.0 points per game and is grabbing 5.5 rebounds per contest while Sherrod is dishing in 10.0 points and a team-high 9.0 rebounds per contest.

In USI's first meeting with KWC last season, Sherrod torched the Panthers for 11 points and 11 boards.

In addition to Lindsey and Sherrod, senior guard/forward Sarah McIntosh (Cabery, Illinois) has been putting up good numbers early on. McIntosh is averaging 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

A disturbing trend the Eagles would like to see disappear this weekend is the amount of turnovers they are giving up. USI is averaging 23.5 turnovers during its 0-2 start and is forcing the opposition into just 18 turnovers per contest.

USI also will try to reach 75 points for the first time this season. The Eagles have won their last 23 games and 74 of their last 77 games when reaching the 75-point plateau.

After their trip to Owensboro on Saturday, the Eagles will travel to Louisville, Kentucky, to take on conference rival Bellarmine University Monday evening. USI and Bellarmine have consistently battled atop the GLVC the last two seasons and the Eagles could make a strong statement in the GLVC with a victory on Monday. Tip-off for that contest is slated for 4:45 p.m.

Coming off consecutive GLVC Tournament championships, the Eagles were picked to finish fourth in the GLVC.