Game Notes

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team opens its 2010-11 season Friday at 5:15 p.m. when it hosts NCAA II Midwest Region foe Wayne State University at the Physical Activities Center.

USI is coming off a 2009-10 campaign that saw it advance to the NCAA II Midwest Region Tournament for the first time since 2004. The Screaming Eagles return three starters and nine letterwinners from a squad that went 22-9 overall and 13-5 in the GLVC.

Preseason All-American senior guard Ellen Young and All-GLVC guard Amie Newhart lead the Eagles' returning players this season. Young averaged 15.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last season, while Newhart chipped in 11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per contest.

The Eagles, who were picked to finish second in the GLVC East Division this season, are looking to extend an unbeaten streak against Wayne State Friday. USI is 7-0 all-time against the Warriors, including last season's 69-68 victory in Detroit, Michigan.

Wayne State also opens its season Friday evening after a disappointing 2009-10 campaign that saw the Warriors post and 8-19 overall mark and a 6-16 mark in the GLIAC. Sophomore forward Chelsea Davis is the Warriors' leading returning scorer after averaging 8.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest during her freshman campaign.

Young led the Eagles with 13 points in last season's meeting with Wayne State, while Newhart went 6-of-8 from the charity stripe to finish with 11 points. Newhart's free throws with 21 seconds to play and her steal in the final five seconds clinched the victory for the Eagles.

Davis had six points and eight rebounds in last year's meeting with USI, while senior guard Chelsea Kouri had a game-high 15 points.

Following their contest with Wayne State, the Eagles travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to take part in the Grand Canyon University/Crowne Plaza Tip-Off Classic November 19-20.