EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team could not overcome an early second half run as it lost to Missouri University of Science & Technology, 71-61, Thursday evening at the Physical Activities Center.

USI (9-17, 4-14 GLVC), which held its "Think Pink" night in front of 500 fans, most of whom wore some sort of pink, Thursday evening, opened the game with an 8-2 run to build its largest advantage of the contest.

Missouri S&T (21-5, 15-4 GLVC), which is ranked third in the NCAA Great Lakes Region, battled its way back to tie the contest at 13-13. The Miners, who shot 56.0 percent from the field in the opening period, would use a 13-3 run from that point to build its largest lead of the first half (26-16) with less than six minutes to play.

The Screaming Eagles battled back, using a 13-6 run to cut the deficit to three points (32-29) at the intermission. Missouri S&T, however, used an 11-0 run to open the second half and break the game wide open.

USI, which trailed by as many as 14 in the final period, chipped away the deficit, cutting the Missouri S&T advantage to 55-50 with less than seven minutes to play. That was as close as the Eagles would get, however, as the Miners used a 10-4 run throughout the next four minutes to put their lead back into double digits.

Senior forward Jasmine Baines (Jeffersonville, Indiana) led the Eagles with 15 points and three steals, while junior forward/center Brittany Neuman (Huntingburg, Indiana) recorded her second double-double of the season with 11 points and a team-best 11 rebounds. Junior guard Brittany Darden (Guthrie, Kentucky) added 11 points, while freshman guard Amie Newhart (Mulberry, Indiana) chipped in 10 points.

Missouri S&T, which shot a blistering 61.9 percent from the field in the closing period and 58.7 percent for the game, got a game-high 18 points from junior forward Tamara McCaskill and senior guard Chism McEntire. McEntire finished with a game-high six assists, while senior forward Katie Bunge added 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Eagles finish the 2007-08 season Saturday when they host the University of Missouri-St. Louis (7-19, 4-14 GLVC) at the PAC. USI will honor its two seniors—Baines and guard Marshay Jolly (Merrillville, Indiana)—as part of its Senior Day festivities prior to the 1 p.m. tip-off.