EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team faces former Great Lakes Valley Conference members Kentucky Wesleyan College and Ashland University in the second week of the 2014-15 campaign, starting with a trip to the Sportscenter in Owensboro, Kentucky, Tuesday at 7 p.m. to face the Panthers. USI hosts Ashland Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Physical Activities Center.
Both games can be heard on WPSR 90.7 FM, while live stats, video (Saturday only), and audio can be accessed at gousieagles.com.
Coming off an 84-41 drubbing of Midwest Region foe Ohio Valley University, the Screaming Eagles (1-1) are looking for their second straight win over a Great Midwest Athletic Conference opponent Tuesday after falling in their opener, 75-65, to Malone University this past Friday.
Senior forward/center
Anna Hackert (Evansville, Indiana) leads the Eagles with 14.0 points and 13.5 rebounds per contest, while senior guard
Autumn Miller (Louisville, Kentucky) is chipping in 13.5 points per outing. Freshman guard/forward
Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois), who had a game-high 19 points in the win over Ohio Valley, is contributing 13.0 points per appearance.
USI vs. Kentucky Wesleyan/Ashland NotesUSI vs. Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers (0-1, 0-0 GMAC)• Series record: USI leads the all-time series, 45-28.
• Series since 2000: USI leads the series, 18-7.
• First meeting: at KWC 63, USI 38 (1975-76 season/USI's third-ever game)
• Last year: at USI 83, KWC 64 (11/26/13)
USI vs. Ashland University Eagles (1-1, 0-0 GLIAC)• Series record: Ashland leads the all-time series, 15-7.
• Series since 2000: First meeting.
• First meeting: USI 84, at Ashland 76 (1984-85 season)
• Previous meeting: at USI 99, Ashland 82 (Last GLVC meeting between USI & Ashland)
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Rare loss in home-opener. The USI women's basketball team suffered its first loss in a home-opener since 2002 when it fell to Malone, 75-65. It also was the Eagles' first regular-season opening loss since 2008. USI is 21-19 all-time in regular-season openers and 11-5 under Head Coach
Rick Stein.
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Seeing double. Senior forward/center
Anna Hackert has started the season with two straight double-doubles. She had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the Eagles' loss to Malone before finishing with 11 points and 15 rebounds in USI's win over Ohio Valley. Hackert, who had 10 double-doubles a year ago, currently has 27 in her career.
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Miller steps up scoring output. Senior guard
Autumn Miller has picked up her scoring output in the first two games of the season. After averaging 7.3 points per game a year ago, Miller is contributing 13.5 points per contest in 2014-15.
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Grooms shows all-around game. Freshman guard/forward
Kaydie Grooms displayed an all-around game in USI's win over Ohio Valley. The Marshall High School graduate scored a game-high 19 points, pulled down eight rebounds, and dished out five assists while committing just one turnover in the victory.
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Nimmo gets first-career start. Senior guard
Mariah Nimmo recorded her first career start in USI's loss over Malone. Nimmo, who started both of USI's exhibition games, matched a career-high with eight points in USI's loss to the Pioneers.
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Raining 3's. USI set a school record in its win over Ohio Valley when it attempted 35 three-pointers. The Eagles, who made 11 of their attempts, surpassed the former record of 30, set against Indianapolis January 30, 1993.
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Trip down memory lane. USI is playing two charter members of the GLVC this week in Kentucky Wesleyan and Ashland. KWC left the GLVC for the GMAC in 2013-14, while Ashland left the GLVC for the GLIAC in 1995-96.
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About Kentucky Wesleyan. The Panthers are off to an 0-1 start following a heart-breaking 70-68 home loss to Asbury. Senior forward Jordanne Gambill had 19 points to lead the Panthers.
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About Ashland. Two years removed from a national championship, the Ashland Eagles are off to a similar start as USI, having lost their opener, 74-65, to Cedarville before bouncing back with an 83-43 win over Ursuline. Sophomore forward Suzy Wollenhaupt is averaging 13.5 points per game to lead Ashland.
