at Southern Indiana (1-0): 81
Wayne State (0-1): 71
Box Score

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Six University of Southern Indiana women's basketball players finished with at least eight points Friday evening as the Screaming Eagles defeated Wayne State University, 81-71, in their season-opener at the Physical Activities Center.

USI (1-0), which trailed by as many as seven points early in the first half, used a 7-0 spurt to take a 45-39 advantage five minutes into the second period. Senior guard Lauren Meneghetti had a three-pointer and a pair of free throws in the run that gave the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish.

Leading by two, 51-49, with just under 12 minutes to play, the Eagles put together a debilitating 12-3 run that extended their advantage to 11 points with eight minutes to play. Junior guard/forward Kristin Raker, who led all scorers with 20 points in her USI debut, scored six points during the push that put USI in the driver's seat.

Raker's three-pointer with 53 seconds to play ended any hope of a Wayne State comeback and gave the Eagles their second straight season-opening victory.

In addition to Raker's 20 points, Meneghetti and senior guard Amie Newhart each finished with 15 points. Senior guard Ellen Young added 13 points and seven rebounds, while senior forward/centers Courtney Perry and Stephanie McSparin each chipped in eight points. McSparin also had a game-high nine rebounds.

Wayne State (0-1), who lost its season-opener to the Eagles for the second straight season, was led by sophomore guards Paige Sickmiller and Tyler Hardy. Sickmiller finished with 12 points, while Hardy chipped in 11.

USI, which has won 15 consecutive regular-season home games, returns to action November 19-20 when it competes at the Grand Canyon University/Crowne Plaza Tip-Off Classic in Phoenix, Arizona. The Eagles take on Minnesota State University-Moorhead November 19 at 1 p.m. (CST) and Grand Canyon November 20 at 6 p.m.