at North Alabama (4-3): 78
Southern Indiana (4-4): 66
Box Score

FLORENCE, Ala.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team was in position to win a road game for the first time this season, trailing by only a basket with just over five minutes to play in a tough defensive battle against the University of North Alabama.

USI (4-4), however, saw the host Lions go on a 10-0 run throughout the next three minutes as the Screaming Eagles suffered a 78-66 non-conference loss Wednesday evening.

“We've had three tough road losses in three tough places,” USI Head Coach Rick Stein said. “You have to give North Alabama credit. When push came to shove, they made some tough plays in some tough scenarios. Every time we would tie the game or take the lead, they answered us right away.”

USI fought back from a six-point deficit to take a 50-48 lead with nine-and-a-half minutes to play in the game. North Alabama, however, came right back, using a 6-0 run throughout the next minute to retake the lead and shift momentum back into its favor.

After the Eagles closed what turned out to be another six-point deficit to a 58-56 deficit, the Lions answered with the debilitating 10-0 run that put the game out of reach.

“It's so hard to win on the road in our league,” Stein said when looking forward to the remainder of the season. “We are going to have to get tougher on the defensive end and be able to lock down when push comes to shove. We are going to have to top off plays and make some things happen on the offensive end.”

Behind some solid play from senior guard Ellen Young, the Eagles took control early in the contest. Young scored USI's first six points as the Eagles jumped out to a 19-11 advantage.

North Alabama (4-3), however, came charging back, using an 18-4 run to build a six-point lead with four minutes to play in the opening period.

USI, which trailed by as many as seven points late in the first half, closed the gap to 33-29 by the intermission; then tied the game on multiple occasions in the early stages of the second period.

Young led the Eagles with a season-high 23 points to go along with six rebounds. Junior guard/forward Kristin Raker and senior guard Amie Newhart added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

USI had no answer for North Alabama senior guard Sanqueeta Meardith, who went 15-of-18 and finished with a game-high 26 points and seven rebounds. “Meardith had a heck of a game, she's a good player,” Stein said.

The Eagles return to action December 18 at 1 p.m. when they host Salem International University at the Physical Activities Center.