AUSTIN, Texas—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team had to hold on in the final minutes to post its first win of the season, 83-76, Sunday afternoon over Southeastern Oklahoma State University at the St. Edwards Shootout in Austin, Texas. USI pulls even at 1-1 to start the season, while Southeastern Oklahoma falls back to .500 at 1-1.

The Screaming Eagles had built their largest lead of the game, 64-45, with 8:23 left in the game when the Savage Storm started to fight their way back into the contest. Southeastern Oklahoma cut the USI lead to six points with 15 seconds to play, but the Eagles' defense stood their ground to preserve the victory.

"It was good to get that first win and come away with a split," said USI Head Coach Rick Stein. "I was really proud of the team the way they bounced back after a tough game 24 hours ago.

"The difference today was out defensive intensity," continued Stein. "Yesterday, we got out-worked by Abilene Christian on the boards and gave up 80 points. Today, we were even on the boards and came away with the win."

In addition to a strong defensive performance, the Eagles also did the job on the offensive end of the floor. USI shot 42 percent overall (24-56), 54.5 from beyond the arc (6-11), compared to just 27.1 percent overall and 17.6 percent in the season-opening loss to Abilene Christian University.

USI was led by the career-best 26-point performance of sophomore guard Lauren Meneghetti (Munster, Indiana). Meneghetti was eight of 12 from the floor, four of five from beyond the arc, and six of eight at the line.

Eagles' sophomore guard Ellen Young (Salem, Illinois) followed Meneghetti with 19 points, while junior forward Abby Williams (St. Joseph, Illinois) rounded out the double-figure scorers with 16 points. Williams also led the team with 10 rebounds.

The Eagles return to Evansville and the friendly confines of the Physical Activities Center next weekend to open the 2008-09 home schedule and a two-game homestand. USI starts the homestand against Edinboro University November 22 at 5:15 p.m. and finishes the two-game series by hosting Mid-Continent University November 24 at 5:15 p.m.