at Southern Indiana (10-2): 91
North Alabama (4-7): 62
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EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Five University of Southern Indiana women's basketball players scored in double figures as the Screaming Eagles outlasted the University of North Alabama, 91-62, Wednesday night at the Physical Activities Center.
The Eagles (10-2) used a 19-2 run throughout the final six minutes of the contest to turn away a Lions' comeback attempt and capture their ninth consecutive victory, their longest winning streak since the 2001-02 campaign.
USI, which shot 55.7 percent from the field, used a 16-4 run throughout the final four minutes of the opening period to turn a 31-24 advantage into a commanding 47-28 halftime lead.
North Alabama (4-7), which saw the Eagles bench outscore its reserves 47-12, trimmed USI's lead down to 14 with 15 minutes to play in the game, but a three-point play by junior forward/center Courtney Perry switched momentum back into USI's favor.
Despite building its lead back to 20 points with 13 minutes to play, USI saw the Lions chip away at the deficit, bringing it down to 12 points with six minutes remaining in the game.
USI's defense stiffened up, though, as the Eagles limited the Lions to just two points throughout the final six minutes en route to the game-clinching run. Junior guard Ellen Young, who finished with 14 points, started the run with a lay-up, then sophomore forward/center Ashton Mertens increased USI's advantage to 16 points (76-60) with another lay-up.
In a span of four minutes, the Eagles turned a 72-60 lead into a comfortable 89-60 cushion with two minutes to play in the contest.
Mertens, who came off the bench, led the Eagles with a season-high 19 points, while junior guard Amie Newhart finished with 12 points and a game-high five assists. Senior guard/forward Abby Williams added 11 points and a game-high six rebounds for the Eagles, who out-rebounded North Alabama, 36-24.
Junior guard Lauren Meneghetti added 10 points and four rebounds off the bench as USI reached the 80-point plateau for the seventh time this season and the 90-point plateau for the third time in 2009-10.
USI will have the next three weeks to prepare for its next contest as the Eagles do not return to action until December 30 when they host Midwest Region foe Ferris State University. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.
