Game Notes (pdf.)
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team enters Monday evening's bout with Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division rival Kentucky Wesleyan College in search of its first conference win of the season. Tip-off is slated for 5:15 p.m. at the Physical Activities Center.
“We're hungry, we want to win,” USI Head Coach
Rick Stein said following the Screaming Eagles' 63-47 loss to Rockhurst University Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles (6-8, 0-6 GLVC) have shown positive signs of a breakthrough in their last four games. Against Missouri Unviersity of Science & Technology, the Eagles played great defense throughout, but free throws cost them as they eventually lost in overtime.
Two days later it was a slow start that prevented USI from knocking off Drury University despite a solid day at the free throw line.
USI jumped out to halftime leads at William Jewell College and Rockhurst, but poor shooting in both contests prevented the Eagles from getting over the top.
“We've just got to put it all together,” Stein said. “We talked about improving our rebounding after our game at Wayne State. We worked on that and have improved.
“We talked about execution and I think we've improved there too,” Stein continued. “Now we have to work on finishing plays off and just putting it all together.”
The Eagles will have the opportunity to put it all together when they face the Panthers in the first of three straight home games for the Eagles.
USI has been led as of late by freshman forward/center
Mary O'Keefe, who is averaging 12.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in USI's last seven games. Freshman forward
Brooke Valentine, who took over the team lead in rebounding at 6.1 per game, is averaging 7.3 rebounds in her last six games.
The Eagles lead the all-time series with the Panthers, 43-25, and are 16-4 in the series since 2000 after splitting last year's games. USI won the first contest, 85-68, at the PAC, while the Panthers claimed the second meeting, 81-69, at the Sportscenter in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Kentucky Wesleyan (9-5, 3-3 GLVC) is coming off a 68-58 setback at William Jewell Saturday and a 76-72 victory at Rockhurst last Thursday. Senior center Katie Behrens leads the Panthers with 10.6 points per game.
In addition to Kentucky Wesleyan, the Eagles also host the University of Indianapolis Thursday at 5:15 p.m. and Saint Joseph's College Saturday at 1 p.m.
Coverage of all three contests, including live stats, video, and audio can be found at gousieagles.com, while the game can be heard on the radio at WPSR 90.7 FM.
