Southern Indiana (21-7, 12-5 GLVC): 88
at Bellarmine (16-11, 9-9 GLVC): 71
Box Score
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team used runs of 9-0 and 20-6 en route to a 53-point second half and an 88-71 road win over GLVC East Division rival Bellarmine University Saturday evening in Knights Hall.
USI's win puts the Screaming Eagles (21-7, 12-5 GLVC) in control of their own destiny in the race for a first-round bye and the right to host a first and second-round cluster in the GLVC Tournament, which is February 27-28.
Due to No. 4 University of Indianapolis's 80-69 victory over Northern Kentucky University Saturday evening, a USI win over Quincy University Monday evening at the Physical Activities Center will give the Eagles home court advantage throughout the first two rounds of the conference tournament.
After a back-and-forth first half that saw 10 lead changes and six ties, the Eagles found themselves in a two-point halftime deficit (37-35) heading into the break.
Trailing by a point (40-39) early in the second period, the Eagles got buckets from four different players, including a run-capping three-pointer by junior guard Ellen Young that put USI in front 48-40 with 17:20 to play in the contest.
The Knights (16-11, 9-9 GLVC) cut USI's lead to four points a minute later, but a 20-6 run that lasted just over four minutes put the Eagles in a comfortable 68-50 lead with 10 minutes to play in the contest.
Five different players scored for USI during the run, with Young scoring seven points including a three-pointer to cap the run off. Young finished the game with 17 points, 14 of which came in the second half, and a season-high eight rebounds.
USI, which dominated the paint as it outrebounded the Knights 46-36 and outscored the home team 38-18 in the paint, got six points and a game-high 11 rebounds from junior forward/center Stephanie McSparin (Marion, Illinois).
Junior guard Lauren Meneghetti drained four three-pointers and finished with a team-high 18 points to go with four assists, while senior guard/forward Abby Williams and sophomore guard Cootie Leeberg each chipped in 11 points.
Leeberg also finished with four assists, while junior guard Amie Newhart had a game-high five assists. The Eagles, who saw their reserves outscore Bellarmine's reserves 27-13, committed just nine turnovers while dishing out 19 assists.
Bellarmine got a game-high 24 points from sophomore guard Kylie Brady, including 18 in the first period.
Tip-off for USI's game with Quincy (19-7, 10-7 GLVC) is slated for 5:15 p.m. at the PAC. The Eagles will honor their two seniors—Williams and forward Anaris Sickles—as part of their Senior Night festivities.
