EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team could not contain Saginaw Valley State University in the second half and dropped a 69-63 decision Friday evening at the Physical Activities Center.

Saginaw Valley State (5-5) shot a blistering 66.7 percent from the field (12-18) and 81 percent from the line (17-21) in the second half to outscore the Screaming Eagles, 42-32. SVSU, which did not have a field goal in the final 3:05, held USI off in the final minute by sinking nine of 11 shots from charity.

The Eagles had their chances late in the game, cutting the lead to four points with 16 seconds on a three-pointer by freshman guard Amie Newhart (Mulberry, Indiana). They got to within three points on a lay-up by junior guard Brittany Darden (Guthrie, Kentucky) 10 seconds later.

In the first half, USI overcame a six-point deficit to build a nine-point lead, 31-22. SVSU surged in the final 30 seconds of the opening half to cut the lead to 31-27 at the intermission.

Overall, the match-up was see-saw affair with 11 lead changes and 10 ties (six in the second half). USI won the battle on the boards, out rebounding SVSU 30-26, including an 11-2 advantage in offensive rebounds.

The Eagles were led individually by Newhart, who had 15 points. She was joined in double-figure scoring by Darden, who had 11 points, and senior forward Jasmine Baines (Jeffersonville, Indiana), who finished with 10 points.

USI returns to action after the first of the year with a pair of road games in the GLVC. The Eagles travel to the University of Missouri-St. Louis on January 3 and Missouri University of Science and Technology on January 5.