EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team is receiving consideration for the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Top 25 preseason poll. It marks the fifth straight season and the ninth in 11 years that the Screaming Eagles have either been ranked or received votes in the top 25 poll.

USI opens the regular season Monday at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Coming off a tough 67-58 loss to the St. Louis Goldstars in their only exhibition game of the season, the Eagles are looking to open the regular season with a win for the second straight season and the ninth time in 11 years.

USI spread the ball around in the exhibition loss to the Goldstars as eight of USI's 10 players that suited up scored at least six points, three of which scored seven points.

Senior forward/center Andrea Engleking (Charlottesville, Indiana) led the Eagles on the boards with nine rebounds. Fellow classmate Megan Nelson (Clarendon Hills, Illinois) and freshman guard Nicole McDonald (Portage, Indiana) each had seven boards, while junior guard Tiara Brown (Normal, Illinois) had six rebounds.

USI is expected to open the season without senior guard Jamie Truitt (Owensboro, Kentucky) and freshman guard Brittaney Oeth (Mt. Vernon, Indiana).

The Eagles will open their home schedule November 21 when they host Calumet College of St. Joseph's.