The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball could not overcome a 22-point halftime deficit, falling the Michigan Tech University in Houghton, Michigan, 72-61, Friday afternoon. USI falls below .500 to 4-5 overall, while Michigan Tech goes to 5-4.

USI opened the game with a 3-0 lead on senior guard/forward Sarah McIntosh's (Cabery, Illinois) three-pointer, but the Huskies tied the game on their first shot and never looked back as the Screaming Eagles trailed at the intermission 40-18. Early in the second half, Michigan Tech upped the lead to 59-30 before the Eagles began to get back into the basketball game.

With 11:34 to play, USI went on a 22-2 run to get within nine points at 61-52 with just over three minutes to play. That was as close as USI would get.

Eagles' senior center Africa Sherrod (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) led the way in the run, scoring 10 of the 22 points. Sherrod finished the game with her USI record eighth straight double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds. USI junior forward Shajuan Lindsey (Midlothian, Illinois) joined Sherrod in double figure scoring 11 points of her own.

The Eagles held to form defensively in the second half, holding the Huskies to just 33 percent from the field (8-24) and caused 26 Michigan Tech turnovers for the contest. USI outscored the home team 43-32 in the second stanza.

"It was two totally different teams out there for USI," said USI head coach Rick Stein. "In the first half, we were on our heals and did not come out to play. Michigan Tech came out to win in the first half.

"In the second half, we were a different team. Our guys forced some turnovers and some time outs in cutting the lead to single digits, but it was too late," Stein continued. "We made a good run in the second half, but you have come ready to play 40 minutes."

The Eagles will make the long trip back to Evansville, Indiana, tonight and will be off for almost a week for the holiday season break. USI resumes the 2002-03 schedule Saturday and Sunday, December 28-29, in the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge at the Physical Activities Center. The challenge will feature USI, Northwood University, Ferris State University, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.