EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team begins a four-game homestand Thursday at 5:15 p.m. when it hosts Saint Joseph's College at the Physical Activities Center. The Screaming Eagles also host the University of Indianapolis Saturday at 1 p.m. for homecoming.
USI (7-12, 2-9 GLVC) has lost six straight games despite holding second-half leads and out-shooting the opposition in five of those contests.
The Eagles played No. 7 Drury University close last Thursday, but an early second-half run allowed the Panthers to pull away in a 79-65 victory. USI built an 11-point second-half lead and led 56-55 in the final minute against Rockhurst University Saturday, but the Hawks pulled out a 61-56 win.
Senior forward
Jasmine Baines (Jeffersonville, Indiana) led USI in the two setbacks with 17.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per contest. She moved into eighth-place on USI's all-time scoring list (1,091) and 15th-place on USI's all-time rebounding list (442).
For the season, Baines ranks fourth in the GLVC with a team-high 17.9 points per game and is tied for sixth in the league with a team-best 7.1 rebounds per outing.
Saint Joseph's (1-17, 0-11 GLVC) is trying to stop a 12-game losing streak after a 64-39 setback to Indianapolis last Saturday. Junior guard Michelle Kiger leads the Pumas with 11.1 points per contest, while sophomore forward Molly Lauck is Saint Joseph's leading rebounder with 6.8 boards per game.
USI leads the all-time series with the Pumas, 27-23, and is 10-3 since 2000 after defeating Saint Joseph's, 76-70, last season in the Rensselaer, Indiana.
The Eagles trail the all-time series with Indianapolis, 29-24, and are 5-8 since 2000 against the Greyhounds despite winning last season's contest, 66-61, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Indianapolis (16-3, 8-3) is under the direction of former USI Assistant Coach and three-time All-American LeAnn Freeland. Freeland will be inducted into the USI Athletic Hall of Fame Friday night prior to making her first appearance at the PAC since she was an assistant coach for the Eagles in 2002-03.
The Greyhounds, who visit Kentucky Wesleyan College Thursday at 5:15 p.m., are 5-3 since starting the year with 11 straight wins.
Senior guard Karla Mast, who is averaging a team-best 21.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest, is expected to play this week after missing the last few weeks with an injury. Sophomore guard Jessica Canary is second on the team with 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Following this week's contest, the Eagles, who play six of their final eight games at the PAC, entertain Rockhurst February 14 and Drury February 16.
