EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball begins one of the toughest stretches of the year Thursday at 5:15 p.m. when it hosts No. 19/23 Quincy University at the Physical Activities Center.
The Screaming Eagles (10-2, 3-1 GLVC), who host Truman State University Saturday at 1 p.m., will play five games in a 10-day stretch that features games against three nationally-ranked opponents and the top two teams (currently) from both the Great Lakes Valley Conference East and West Divisions.
Following this weekend's home games against Quincy and Truman State, the Eagles visit No. 17 Bellarmine University Monday at 4:45 p.m. (CST); No. 9/12 Lewis University January 21 at 5:30 p.m.; and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside January 23 at 1 p.m.
Currently, the combined record of USI's next five opponents is 56-11 (.835) overall and 20-4 (.833) in GLVC play.
USI is looking to begin a new string of victories after seeing an eight-game win streak come to an end with a 68-65 road setback to William Jewell College. Junior guard
Tanner Marcum (New Albany, Indiana) had 22 points to lead the Eagles, while junior forward
Hannah Wascher (Rantoul, Illinois) added 17 points and a season-high 14 rebounds.
Marcum had a season-high 25 points in USI's 68-54 win over Rockhurst University last Thursday, while Wascher added 17 points and nine rebounds.
Wascher ranks eighth in the GLVC with a team-best 15.1 points per game, while Marcum is fourth in the GLVC with a team-high 19.5 points per game in conference-only contests.
For the season, Marcum is 12th in the GLVC with 13.9 points per game, while sophomore guard/forward
Kaydie Grooms (Marshall, Illinois) is tied for 23rd in the conference with 11.0 points per appearance. Sophomore guard
Randa Harshbarger (Philo, Illinois) is second in the GLVC with a team-high 6.2 assists per game.
USI is looking for its second straight win over the Lady Hawks of Quincy after earning a 76-55 win over Quincy last year at the PAC. Quincy leads the all-time series with the Eagles, 22-18.
The Hawks (13-1, 4-1 GLVC) are led by senior guard Maggie Cunningham and sophomore forward Anika Webster. Cunningham is averaging a team-best 11.7 points and 4.8 assists per game, while Webster is chipping in 11.0 points and a team-high 5.9 rebounds per outing.
Truman State (10-5, 4-1 GLVC), which visits Bellarmine Thursday, is led by senior center Michalina Tomczak and sophomore guard Rachel Steinhoff. Tomczak is averaging a team-high 11.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, while Steinhoff is chipping in 8.7 points and a team-best 3.1 assists per outing.
USI leads the all-time series with the Bulldogs, 3-2, after earning a 65-53 decision at the PAC a year ago.
The Eagles look to continue a three-game winning streak over Bellarmine when the two teams meet Monday. Bellarmine leads the all-time series, 43-23, after losing both matchups to the Eagles last year.
Bellarmine (10-0, 4-0 GLVC), under the direction of USI Hall of Famer Chancellor Dugan, is led by junior forward Sarah Galvin's 18.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per contest.
USI's games can be heard on WPSR 90.7 FM, while GLVC Sports Network coverage can be accessed along with live stats and live audio at GoUSIEagles.com. The USI Varsity Club also will have a GLVCSN viewing party Monday in the Varsity Club room at the PAC.
