EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team is looking to start the 2006-07 season on the right foot when it opens the regular season Wednesday at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.

USI, which was 15-15 (7-12 GLVC) a year ago, was 2-0 in the exhibition season, posting an 83-58 victory over the St. Louis Goldstars and a 75-74 victory over NCAA Division I foe Morehead State University.

Junior forward Jasmine Baines (Jeffersonville, Indiana) led the Screaming Eagles in the preseason with 20.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while senior guard Katie Thiesenhusen (Muskego, Indiana) and junior guard Marshay Jolly (Merrillville, Indiana) averaged 16.0 and 11.0 points per game, respectively. Junior guard Akiya Alexander (Evanston, Illinois) also averaged double figures in scoring with 10.0 points per contest.

The Eagles, however, will likely have to start the season without the services of Thiesenhusen, who is nursing a knee injury.

Central Missouri also had a successful preseason as it defeated the St. Louis Goldstars 98-62. Senior guard Ashley Millham led the Jennies in their preseason victory with 22 points, while junior forward Jojuana Jones had a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Jennies were 22-10 overall (11-5 MIAA) in 2005-06 and advanced to the NCAA II South Central Region semifinals.

Following USI's regular-season opener with Central Missouri, the Eagles return home to take on the University of Illinois-Springfield November 21 at 5:15 p.m.