KIRKSVILLE, Mo.—University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball rode a strong start and a strong inside presence to earn a huge 78-66 Great Lakes Valley Conference road win over host Truman State University in what was a battle of division leaders.
The Screaming Eagles (13-3, 7-1 GLVC), who snapped the Bulldogs' 10-game win streak, held Truman to just 1-of-9 (.111) shooting in the first 10 minutes to take control of the contest. USI forced the Bulldogs into eight first-quarter turnovers as it led 20-8 at the end of the first period.
Truman (13-6, 9-2 GLVC) used a 6-0 run early in the second period to close a 14-point deficit to just eight points, but the Eagles responded with 10-1 run to push its advantage to 32-15 with less than six minutes to play in the half.
USI shot 51.4 percent (18-35) from the field in the first half, including 52.9 percent (9-17) in the second quarter, as it took a commanding 43-26 lead into the intermission.
The Eagles pushed that lead to as much as 19 early in the third period, but Truman began to rally. The Bulldogs used a 9-0 run late in the third period to cut USI's lead to 55-47 with less than a minute to play in the quarter; then used a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter to cut the Eagles' advantage to 64-59 with less than four minutes to play the game.
Junior forward
Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) wrapped four free throws around a Truman bucket to extend USI's lead to 68-61 with three minutes to play and USI got a pair of defensive stops in the next 90 seconds as the Bulldogs' rally stalled.
Fifth-year senior guard
Emma DeHart (Indianapolis, Indiana) drove the lane for a layup with less than 75 seconds to play to give USI a 70-62 lead and, following a defensive stop, the Eagles sealed the victory at the free throw line as junior guard
Addy Blackwell (Bloomington, Indiana) went 8-of-8 at the charity stripe during the last minute.
Haithcock and senior forward
Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio) each finished with 17 points to lead the Eagles, who outscored the Bulldogs 34-26 in the paint. DeHart and Blackwell added 14 and 10 points, respectively, as USI finished the game with just six turnovers.
Senior Brioenne Burns, who sparked Truman's comeback bid, led the Bulldogs with 17 points as she came off the bench to connect on 5-of-6 (.833) three-point attempts. Junior forward Ellie Weltha added 15 points and 19 rebounds, while junior All-American guard Hannah Belanger was limited to 13 points on 3-of-12 shooting.
USI returns to action Saturday at 1 p.m. when it travels to Quincy, Illinois, to take on Quincy University. The Hawks (6-13, 2-9 GLVC) suffered a 64-59 home loss to the University of Indianapolis Thursday evening at Pepsi Arena.
Notes: The Eagles connected on 17-of-18 (.944) from the charity stripe, while the Bulldogs were 21-of-26 (.762)…USI's bench outscored Truman's reserves, 30-19, while the Eagles held a 14-7 advantage in points off turnovers.
