EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team looked rusty in an exhibition loss to the St. Louis Goldstars, 67-58, Friday evening at the Physical Activities Center. USI will begin the 2004-05 regular season campaign on the road November 15 at the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

The positive for the Screaming Eagles came on the defensive side of the court. USI forced 21 turnovers while making 11 steals and blocking four shots. The Eagles also held the Goldstars to 35.3 percent from the field in the first half (12-34) and 42.4 percent in the second half (14-33).

The Eagles' offense will need to catch up with the defense before November 15. USI shot only 33.9 percent from the field (19-56) and 54.2 percent from the line (13-24).

A positive offensive sign was the balanced scoring for the Eagles. Senior center Megan Nelson (Clarendon Hills, Illinois), senior forward Andrea Engleking (Charlottsville, Indiana), and freshman guard Marshay Jolly (Merrillville, Indiana) led the team with seven points each, while five other USI players scored six points each.

Engleking led the Eagles on the glass with a team-best nine rebounds, while Nelson and freshman guard Nicole McDonald (Portage, Indiana) had seven rebounds each.