(Sortable) | Box Score (html)
at Wayne State (7-5): 77
Southern Indiana (6-4): 58

DETROIT—Playing away from the Physical Activities Center has been a thorn in the side of the University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team this year and Friday evening's bout with Wayne State University was no different as the Screaming Eagles suffered a 77-58 setback to conclude the 2011 calendar year and their 2011-12 non-conference slate.

Wayne State (7-5) scored the game's first 14 points and never looked back as it jumped out to a commanding 44-21 lead at the break. The Warriors dominated the backboards, especially in the opening period when they held a 31-14 lead on the glass and an 11-0 advantage in second-chance points.

“We got killed on the boards and that was the difference in the game,” USI Head Coach Rick Stein said. “The second-chance points hurt us, especially in the first half.”

USI (6-4), which is falls to 1-4 in games played away from the PAC and 0-3 in road games, tried to mount a comeback early in the contest as it scored six straight points to cut Wayne State's 14-0 lead to eight with 13 minutes to play in the first half.

Wayne State, which finished the game with a 59-32 rebounding advantage and a 16-6 lead in second-chance points, answered the Eagles' surge with a 12-3 run to build a 26-9 advantage.

The Eagles, who trailed by as many as 32 in the second half before trimming the deficit to 17 with less than four minutes to play, struggled from the field as they shot just 27 percent in the opening period and 35 percent for the game.

“We had good looks at the basket, but just couldn't make a basket,” Stein said. “I thought we rushed (our offense) a little bit when we got down and needed to show a little bit more composure.

“Our play changed in the second half,” Stein continued. “We guarded better and took better care of the ball in the second half.”

Wayne State, which defeated the Eagles for the first time after entering the contest with a 0-8 all-time record against USI, shot 46 percent from the field in the opening period and 42 percent for the game.

Senior guard/forward Kristin Raker led the Eagles with 14 points, while freshmen forward/centers Mary O'Keefe and Anna Hackert each had 10 points after being held to a combined one point in the opening period. Freshman forward Brooke Valentine added seven points and a team-high eight rebounds.

“It's tough to win on the road, but we've got to find a way to get it done,” Stein said. “We've got to turn our focus back to the GLVC now and the good thing is we get to come home for the next two games.”

USI returns to Great Lakes Valley Conference play Thursday at 5:15 p.m. when it hosts West Division leading Missouri University of Science & Technology at the PAC.