OWENSBORO, Ky.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team could not capitalize on an opportunity to inch closer to the GLVC Tournament as it fell to Kentucky Wesleyan College, 85-75, Saturday evening at the Sportscenter.

USI (13-11, 5-8 GLVC) had an opportunity to move to within a game of the University of Missouri-Rolla for the third spot in the GLVC's West Division, which carries an automatic bid into the league's post-season tournament, and gain a one-game lead in the wild card race over Bellarmine University and the University of Indianapolis. All three of the fore mentioned schools suffered setbacks Saturday afternoon.

Despite not having sophomore forward Jasmine Baines (Jeffersonville, Indiana) for much of the second half, the Screaming Eagles held their own, building a seven point cushion with less than 12 minutes to play. Baines, who scored 20 of her game and career-high 24 points in the first half, picked up her third and fourth fouls in the early stages of the second half before fouling out with 5:38 left in the game.

KWC (12-9, 7-6 GLVC) swung momentum in its favor when it reeled off a 7-0 spurt that knotted the game at 61 with less than 10 minutes to play.

Sophomore guard Laura McClintic gave the Panthers a 74-69 lead when she connected on a three-pointer with three minutes to play in the contest. The Panthers converted 11-of-12 free throws from that point as they sealed their second victory over the Eagles in the last 23 meetings. For the game, KWC went 27-of-32 from the charity stripe, while the Eagles were just 6-of-15 from the free throw line.

Joining Baines in double figures was freshman point guard Keisha Collins (South Holland, Illinois) and junior forward Michelle King (Columbus, Indiana). Collins finished with 12 points as well as a game and career-high nine assists, while King chipped in 12 points and a career-high six rebounds.

Senior center Mary Czarnecki led KWC with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore forwards LaTasha Henry and Megan Fletcher contributed 16 points apiece. McClintic added 15 points, while senior guard Holly Mills added 11 points.

USI returns to action Thursday at 5:15 p.m. when it hosts No. 5-ranked Drury University at the Physical Activities Center. Drury (20-1, 13-0 GLVC) defeated Lewis University, 90-71, Saturday in Springfield, Missouri.