EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team forced 26 turnovers and held the University of Missouri-St. Louis to 21 first-half points as the Screaming Eagles cruised to a 68-52 victory over the Riverwomen Thursday evening at the Physical Activities Center.

USI (13-7, 7-5 GLVC) was solid in the first half on both ends of the court as it forced 15 first-half turnovers while shooting 45.2 percent from the field. The Eagles simply out-distanced the Riverwomen in the first period, using a 15-2 run to build a 23-8 lead 11 minutes into the contest and an 11-4 lead to end the half and go into the break with a 39-21 halftime advantage.

USI built its lead to as many as 23 early in the second half and never let the Riverwomen back in the contest as it won its second straight game.

Senior guard Katie Thiesenhusen (Muskego, Wisconsin) led the Eagles with 16 points, 11 of which came in the opening period. Junior forward Jasmine Baines (Jeffersonville, Indiana) and senior forward Sabrina Brandon (Danville, Illinois) added 13 and 10 points, respectively, while junior guard Akiya Alexander (Evanston, Illinois) finished with nine points.

UM-St. Louis (5-13, 1-10 GLVC) was led by senior forward Jennifer Dewell and senior center Jennifer Martin, each of whom finished with 12 points. Sophomore forward Nichole Helfrich added 10 points in the loss.

The Eagles, who play UM-St. Louis next Thursday in St. Louis, host the University of Missouri-Rolla Saturday at 1 p.m. for Homecoming. UM-Rolla (11-9, 4-8 GLVC) lost to the Kentucky Wesleyan College, 77-58, Thursday evening in Owensboro, Kentucky.