CANCUN, Mexico—Freshman point guard Lauren Parrish (Shepherdsville, Indiana) hit a late three-pointer and a pair of free throws to lift the University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team to a 66-61 victory over #18 Arkansas Tech University Monday night at the Torneo Cancun de Basquetbol.

Ahead by just three points with less than a minute to play in the contest, the Eagles were in need of a big offensive possession. Parrish provided the spark as she connected on her second three-pointer of the contest from the top of the arc.

The shot gave USI (7-2) a 63-57 lead with 54 seconds remaining in the contest. Parrish converted both shots of a one-and-one to give the Eagles a commanding 65-57 lead with less than 30 seconds to play.

Behind three first-half three-pointers from junior guard Jamie Truitt (Owensboro, Kentucky), the Eagles were able to jump out to a 16-point lead with eight minutes to play in the first stanza.

ATU (5-3), however, closed the gap to 32-23 by halftime and opened the second stanza with a quick bucket before Parrish connected on the first of her two three-pointers to put the Eagles up 35-25 with 19 minutes remaining.

The Golden Suns, once again, climbed back into the game as they went on 15-4 run to take their first lead of the contest at 40-39.

However, the Eagles bounced back as All-Tournament selections Shajuan Lindsey (Midlothian, Illinois) and Andrea Engleking (Charlotsville, Indiana) combined for six straight points to give the Eagles a 45-40 lead with 12:36 left to play.

After the Golden Suns tied the contest at 54, Engleking scored again to give the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish. Engleking, who recorded a game-high nine rebounds, scored 11 of her game and USI career-high 16 points in the second half. She has now scored in double figures three straight games.

Lindsey, who was named Tournament MVP, chipped in 11 points, six of which came in the second period. She had 23 points, 22 of which came in the second half, in USI's win over Assumption College on Sunday night.

Truitt chipped in14 points, while senior guard/forward Shannon Wells (Merrillville, Indiana) added 10 points and eight rebounds. Parrish finished the game with eight points.

USI will return home Monday, December 29, as it hosts the University of Illinois-Springfield. Game time is slated for 5:15 p.m.

The USI Department of Athletics and the USI Student Athlete Advisory Committee will be teaming up for a canned food drive for the USI-Illinois-Springfield match-up. Anyone who brings a canned food item to the game next Monday will get a free bench seat to watch the Screaming Eagles take on the Prairie Stars.