INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team erased a 10-point second-half deficit to gain a huge road win as it defeated the University of Indianapolis, 66-61, Saturday afternoon.
With the victory, the Screaming Eagles (6-1, 3-0 GLVC) improve their winning streak to six games and take sole possession of first place in the GLVC standings. It is also USI's first win over the Greyhounds in Nicoson Hall since December 6, 2001.
USI found itself trailing 51-41 with less than 11 minutes to play in the game. The Eagles, however, strengthened their defense and used a 12-0 run that spanned nearly five minutes to take their first lead of the second half (53-51).
The Eagles, who held Indianapolis to just one field goal in the final 11 minutes of the game, also did a better job of protecting the ball and maximizing their offensive opportunities in the final 10 minutes. USI, which committed 23 turnovers in the first 30 minutes of the game, had just three offensive miscues in the final 10 minutes of the contest.
With the game knotted at 53, the Eagles scored on four straight possessions to take a 61-57 advantage with two minutes to play.
Indianapolis (3-3, 1-2 GLVC) tied the contest at 61, but the Eagles went 5-of-6 from the charity stripe in the final minute of the game to put away their sixth straight victory. Senior forward
Michelle King (Columbus, Indiana) and senior guard
Katie Thiesenhusen (Muskego, Wisconsin) combined for the five free throws that put the game out of reach for the Greyhounds.
Junior forward
Jasmine Baines (Jeffersonville, Indiana) led the Eagles with a game-high 18 points and six rebounds, while senior forward
Sabrina Brandon (Danville, Illinois) finished with 16 points. Baines scored 14 of her 18 points in the second half, including eight points in the final 10 minutes of the contest.
Indianapolis was led by senior forward Amanda Norris, who finished the contest with 13 points.
USI, which is enjoying its longest winning streak since it won six straight in 2004-05, returns to action December 17 when it hosts Harris-Stowe State University at the Physical Activities Center. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.
