When the University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team takes the court this Saturday, December 14, against Marian College, it will be looking for more of the same production it got from its post players in its 93-69 victory over Saint Joseph's College last Saturday. The Screaming Eagles saw its starting post players record a pair of double-doubles, combining for 58 points and 33 rebounds, and outscore the Pumas 47-24 in the paint.

One of the reasons for USI's success in the low post this season has been the efforts of senior forward/center Africa Sherrod (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida). Sherrod has recorded five straight double-doubles and is second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with a team-leading 11.2 rebounds per game. She is second on the squad with 12.2 points per outing.

Sherrod was not the only player producing underneath for the Eagles last Saturday. Sophomore forward/center Megan Nelson (Clarendon Hills, Illinois) scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in USI's most recent victory while junior forward Shajuan Lindsey (Midlothian, Illinois) led the Eagles with 24 points against SJC.

USI will need more of the same efforts as it hosts Marian in a 1 p.m. tip-off this Saturday at the Physical Activities Center. Marian, which hosts Franklin College this Friday, is 7-2 on the season and is averaging 73.2 points per game. The Lady Knights are shooting 46.7 percent from the floor.

USI is 1-2 all-time against Marian, but the two teams have not played each other since the 1979-80 season. USI lost that contest 51-47. Marian was 20-11 last year, finishing 10-4 in the NAIA II's Mid-Central Conference.

If USI is to be successful this Saturday, it will need to do a better job of protecting the ball, especially in the first half. The Eagles are averaging 14.0 turnovers and just 28.3 points in the first half of games this season, compared to 36.5 points and just 10.5 turnovers in the second half of games.

Also, the Eagles will need to distribute the ball well. The Eagles are averaging 21.0 assists per game in their victories and just 10.8 assists per game in their losses this season.

In order to protect the ball, USI needs a strong performance from its senior point guard, Bethany Miller (Princeton, Indiana). Miller dished out five assists in USI's last win, but had six turnovers.