The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team could not hold a 10-point second half lead and fell at home to Northwood University (MI), 77-73, in the first day of the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge at the Physical Activities Center in Evansville, Indiana. USI falls to 4-6 overall, while Northwood goes to 3-6 this season.

The Screaming Eagles controlled the first half the game, building a 13-point lead, 34-21, with 4:31 to play and went into the intermission with a 43-35 margin. The second half saw the Eagle control the game until the Timberwolves went on a 14-4 run to take the lead 67-66 with 3:38 to play.

Northwood outscored the Eagles 10-7 in the final 2:47 to win 77-73.

The bright spots for the Eagles were the play of senior guard/forward Sarah McIntosh (Cabery, Illinois) and senior forward/center Africa Sherrod (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida). McIntosh posted a career-high with 20 points, while Sherrod recorded her ninth straight double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

McIntosh and Sherrod were joined in double figure scoring by junior forward Shajuan Lindsey (Midlothian, Illinois), who dropped in 13 points, and sophomore center Megan Nelson (Clarendon Hills, Illinois), who added 12 points. Lindsey also tied a season-high with eight rebounds while Nelson cleared the glass nine times.

The Eagles will have to bounce back quickly because they will host Ferris State University in the second day of the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge Sunday, December 29. Ferris State defeated the GLVC's Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 76-67 in the 6 p.m. contest and enters Sunday's action with a 6-3 record. Game time Sunday for USI and FSU will be 4 p.m.