EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Senior forward/center Anna Hackert (Evansville, Indiana) scored 17 points in the final nine minutes of the game to lead the University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team to a 68-49 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over the University of Indianapolis Thursday evening at the Physical Activities Center.

USI (21-5, 13-3 GLVC), which overcame an early six-point deficit, led 42-41 with nine minutes to play after the visiting Greyhounds connected on three straight shots from downtown. Hackert, however, took the game over from that point as she went 5-of-5 from the field and 7-of-7 from the free throw line, while grabbing five rebounds.

She scored USI's next 11 points as the Screaming Eagles increased their lead to 53-45 with six minutes to play. Senior guard Taylor Stevenson (Olney, Illinois) capped off USI's 15-4 run with a pair of layups, giving the Eagles a commanding 12-point cushion with 4:30 to play.

USI outscored the Greyhounds (10-14, 7-9 GLVC) 26-8 throughout the final nine minutes of the game to earn the victory. The Eagles shot 9-of-15 (.600) from the field in the final nine minutes and held the Greyhounds to just 2-of-8 (.250).

The Eagles defense was a key throughout the contest as they turned 25 UIndy turnovers into 22 points. The Greyhounds, who connected on five of their first six three-point field goal attempts, led 11-5 four minutes into the contest.

USI answered with a 6-0 run to tie the contest, but the Greyhounds' three-point shooting helped UIndy build a 19-15 lead with 10 minutes to play in the first half. USI, however, held UIndy to just 1-of-9 shooting and forced nine turnovers in the final 10 minutes of the half as it forged a slim 23-21 halftime advantage.

The Eagles used a 7-0 run early in the second half to build a 32-24 cushion; then used another 7-0 cushion to forge a 42-32 lead with 12 minutes to play.

Senior guard Autumn Miller (Louisville, Kentucky) had a hand in all of USI's points in the first 7-0 run as she drained a three-pointer and had an assist on the other two baskets. Hackert scored four points in USI's second 7-0 run.

Hackert, who was just one-point shy of a career-high, finished the game with a season-high 35 points and 16 rebounds, while senior forward/center Mary O'Keefe (Edwardsville, Illinois) added 12 points and six rebounds. Miller finished with four points and three assists, while Stevenson added six points.

Hackert, who was a perfect 8-of-8 from the field and 9-of-9 from the free throw line in her 25-point second-half, is just 14 rebounds shy of the all-time school record of 961, held by USI and GLVC Hall of Famer LeAnn Freeland.

Senior guard Kelly Walter and junior guard Princess German led UIndy with 17 and 13 points, respectively.

The Eagles conclude their 2014-15 home schedule Saturday at 1 p.m. when they host Saint Joseph's College for Senior Day. The Pumas (11-15, 7-9 GLVC) suffered a 61-50 setback to Bellarmine University Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky.

USI will honor its seven seniors—Hackert, Miller O'Keefe, Stevenson, forward/center Cayla Herbst (Glen Ellyn, Illinois), guard Mariah Nimmo (Groveland, Illinois), and guard Libby Ogden (Tipton, Indiana)—following the conclusion of Saturday's game.