EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team fell to Northern Kentucky University, 70-56, Saturday afternoon at the Physical Activities Center, marking the fourth straight setback for the Screaming Eagles.

USI (11-6, 5-4 GLVC) struggled from the field in the opening period and got into early foul trouble as the Norse (11-5, 5-4 GLVC) claimed a 34-19 advantage at the break. The Eagles shot just 25 percent and committed 18 fouls in the first half.

NKU, which went to the line 26 times in the opening frame, used an 11-0 run to turn a two-point edge into a 22-9 advantage with six minutes remaining in the first half. Nine of the 11 points during the run came from the free throw line.

Following the break, the Norse came out of the gates with five quick points to push their lead to 20 less than a minute into the closing period.

The Eagles battled back, closing the gap to 13 with five minutes left to play in the game and to 10 with a minute left in the contest. However, NKU shot 50 percent from the field and dominated the battle on the boards in the second half to pull out the victory.

Senior forward Sabrina Brandon (Danville, Illinois) led the Eagles with 16 points and seven rebounds, while senior guard Katie Thiesenhusen (Muskego, Wisconsin) added 10 points, all in the second half.

Senior forward Brittany Winner led the Norse with 17 points, while sophomore center/forward Cassie Brannen chipped in 14 points. Senior guard Karyn Creager finished with 13 points, while junior center Angela Healy added 12 point and a game-high nine rebounds.

USI returns to action Thursday when it travels to Romeoville, Illinois, to take on No. 15 Lewis University at 5:30 p.m. The Eagles wrap up the two-game road trip a week from today when the travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to take on the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.