ST. LOUIS—University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball used a dominating defensive effort to overcome a slow first quarter and defeat host Maryville University, 61-54, in a Great Lakes Valley Conference bout Thursday evening.

After shooting just 13.3 percent (2-15) from the field and committing seven turnovers in the opening period, the Screaming Eagles rallied with a dominating second-half performance that saw them turn a 13-4 deficit into a commanding 32-23 halftime advantage.

USI (13-6, 9-4 GLVC) used strong defense to keep the Saints within reach in the opening period as it held Maryville to just four points throughout the final six-and-a-half minutes of the quarter.

The buckets opened up in the second frame as USI connected on six of its first eight shots and 11-of-17 (.647) attempts in the period. Meanwhile, USI held the Saints to just four second-quarter field goals and just 28.6 percent shooting as it outscored its counterpart, 28-10, in the frame.

Maryville (11-9, 6-7 GLVC), however, rallied throughout the third period as both teams struggled from the field.

USI went just 4-of-16 (.250) from the field in the third quarter, while Maryville was just 4-of-15 (.267). The Saints, however, went 7-of-8 from the free throw line and connected on three shots from downtown as they trimmed the Eagles' advantage to 47-41 heading into the final 10 minutes.

Maryville continued its comeback into the fourth period, eventually taking a brief one-point lead (49-48) with just under eight minutes on the clock.

The Eagles' defense, however, stiffened up from that point as USI held the Saints to 0-of-9 shooting during a 9-0 run that left the Eagles with a 56-49 lead with just under five minutes left on the clock.

Freshman forward Tara Robbe had a pair of buckets during the run that propelled the Eagles to their second straight win.

USI held the Saints to just 1-of-14 (.071) shooting throughout the final seven-and-a-half minutes of the game as it held on for the seven-point win.

Senior guard Ashley Johnson and junior guard Emma DeHart each had 13 points to lead the Eagles, while freshman forward Hannah Haithcock recorded her first-career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Robbe finished with 10 points and five rebounds, while Johnson added four steals and three assists. DeHart and senior guard/forward Morgan Sherwood each finished with seven rebounds for USI, which held a 45-41 rebounding advantage.

Maryville was led by senior guard Mary Barton, who had a game-high 20 points to go along with seven rebounds. Senior center Abby Monis added 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while sophomore guard Jayda Jansen added 14 points and three assists.

USI finishes its four-game road trip Saturday at 1 p.m. when it takes on Missouri University of Science & Technology in a GLVC contest in Rolla, Missouri. The Miners (7-13, 3-10 GLVC) suffered a 74-60 home loss to McKendree University Thursday evening.

Notes: Senior guard Ashley Johnson moved into the top 15 all-time at USI with 205 career assists...she also ranks 43rd all-time at USI with 593 career points...junior guard Emma DeHart also has moved into the USI records books, where she ranked 44th with 562 career points...DeHart's seven rebounds was a season-high, while senior guard/forward Morgan Sherwood's seven rebounds, all of which were grabbed in the opening 20 minutes, matched her season and career-high...freshman forward Hannah Haithcock's double-double was the second of the year for USI this year, with Johnson recording the first of the year when she racked up 17 points and 10 rebounds in USI's win over Southwest Baptist University last month.