EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Despite jumping out to an early double-digit advantage, the University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team suffered a 75-65 Midwest Region setback to visiting Malone University in its regular-season opener Friday night at the Physical Activities Center.
Malone (1-0) dominated the final 12 minutes of the first half and the opening minute of the second period as it turned a 23-9 deficit into a 37-28 halftime advantage and a 42-28 lead 24 seconds into the second half.
After shooting 7-of-12 (.583) from the field in the first eight minutes of the game, the Screaming Eagles struggled to make a shot during the 13-minute stretch that proved to be the difference in the contest. USI shot just eight percent from the field on 1-of-13 shooting as Malone went on a 33-5 run.
The Eagles (0-1), who trailed by as many as 15 four minutes into the second half, used an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to seven with just over 13 minutes to play; but a 7-0 Malone spurt quickly stole momentum away from USI and sent the Eagles back into a double-digit hole.
USI, which was outrebounded 43-34, also struggled from the free throw line, where it shot just 52.6 percent (10-19) in the first half and 65.9 percent (29-44) for the game. The Eagles were just 4-of-11 from behind the arc, while Malone made 9-of-21 shots from downtown.
Senior forward/center
Anna Hackert (Evansville, Indiana) led the Eagles with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while senior guard
Autumn Miller (Louisville, Kentucky) finished with 14 points and three assists. Senior forward/center
Mary O'Keefe (Edwardsville, Illinois) added 12 points for the Eagles, who lost their first regular-season opener since 2008 and their first home-opener since 2002.
Malone, which shot 53.8 percent (14-of26) from the floor in the first 20 minutes and 48.1 percent (25-52) for the game, got a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds from senior guard Logan Pastor as well as 17 points from sophomore guard Rachel Goddard.
The Eagles return to action Saturday at 3:15 p.m. when they host Ohio Valley University at the PAC. The Fighting Scots (0-1) lost their regular-season opener, 77-71, to Oakland City University Friday night in Oakland City, Indiana.
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