EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team used a stifling defensive performance in the first half to blow past Purdue University-Calumet, 66-36, Tuesday evening at the Physical Activities Center.

USI (8-5) reeled off a 26-0 run after falling behind, 4-0, early in the contest. The Screaming Eagles forced 16 first-half turnovers and held the Peregrines scoreless for more than 16 minutes as they built a commanding 22-point advantage.

PUC (8-6) went nearly 18 minutes between field goals as the Eagles went into the locker room with a 34-8 halftime advantage. USI shot 50 percent in the first half and held the Peregrines to just 14.3 percent from the field.

Junior guard Katie Thiesenhusen (Muskego, Wisconsin) scored 12 of her 14 points in the first half to help the Eagles build the insurmountable lead. Thiesenhusen was 5-of-6 from the floor and had two big shots from three-point range at the end of the half to put the game out of reach. She also finished with four steals in just 17 minutes of action.

The Eagles were paced by sophomore forward Jasmine Baines (Jeffersonville, Indiana), who finished the contest with a game-high 19 points and a team-high tying six rebounds. Senior guard/forward Ashley Green (Otterbein, Indiana) finished with eight points, six rebounds, and five steals, while junior forward Michelle King (Columbus, Indiana) finished with eight points and five rebounds.

Freshman guard Keisha Collins (South Holland, Illinois) and senior guard Tiara Brown (Normal, Illinois) each had a game-high five assists.

Senior forward/center Nikki Borys, senior guard/forward Sarah Vaughn, and sophomore center Marian Smith each scored eight points to pace the Peregrines. Junior forward/center Tekenya Harper had a game-high seven rebounds.

USI returns to action December 31 when it hosts Oakland City University in the first part of a men's and women's doubleheader. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. at the PAC.