EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball returns home to Screaming Eagles Arena Wednesday to take on Brescia University (Ky.) at 6 p.m. (ticket information). The matchup will be the non-conference finale for the Screaming Eagles before Ohio Valley Conference play begins December 29.
 
The contest can be seen live with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on 95.7 FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com).
 
The Screaming Eagles (5-5) finally return home for a game on the USI campus for the first time since an 85-52 win against Bethel University (Ind.) on November 23 before Thanksgiving. Since then, USI has been on the road for five straight, going 2-3 during the road swing.
 
Most recently, USI split back-to-back road games last weekend with a 76-66 win at Wright State University on Saturday before dropping a 99-57 matchup at the University of Cincinnati on Sunday. The weekend road slate was highlighted by the win at Wright State, the second road victory for USI this season. In that game, sophomore guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) and junior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) each tallied 20 points. Senior forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) also scored in double figures, posting 14 points, which she followed with another 14 points on Sunday at Cincinnati.
 
When Shafford and Raley each scored 20 points on Saturday, it was the second time already this season that USI had two players reach the 20-point plateau in the same game. Back on November 19 against Bowling Green State University, Shafford and Haithcock each recorded 21 points. Out of ten games played, Raley scored 10 or more in nine to lead the team while Shafford and Haithcock are second with seven double-digit games this season. With three consecutive double-digit games, Haithcock is averaging 15 points per outing in the last three games.
 
Also playing well and bringing consistency to the Screaming Eagles' lineup in recent games has been senior forward Tara Robbe (Wildwood, Missouri). Robbe has scored nine points in three of the last five games while also grabbing six rebounds in three of the last five outings. While earning those season-best marks, Robbe dished out a season-high four assists in Saturday's win at Wright State. In the last five contests, the senior is averaging 7.8 points a game and 4.6 boards per outing. The Wildwood, Missouri native has started the last three games for USI.
 
Wednesday's opponent, Brescia (Ky.), will be the third NAIA school USI has faced this season. Southern Indiana previously beat Oakland City University 87-39 to open the season and capture USI's first win as a D-I program. USI also beat Bethel (Ind.) 85-52 before Thanksgiving.
 
Brescia (Ky.) is a member of the River States Conference in NAIA. The Bearcats are 1-12 so far this season entering play this week. Before facing USI, Brescia takes on St. Mary-of-the-Woods College Tuesday evening. Brescia's last win was a 69-59 win on November 17 against Campbellsville University-Harrodsburg. The Bearcats have dropped seven straight contests since then.
 
Brescia has squared off against two other Division-I programs this season. On October 29, the Bearcats fell 116-53 at Bellarmine University in a preseason exhibition against the Knights. Back on November 30, Brescia took on Morehead State, whom USI will see in Ohio Valley Conference play. Morehead State won that game 104-54.
 
On the season, junior forward Lindsey Peyton paces the Bearcats at 9.2 points per game. Junior forward Madelyn Lyon leads the squad with 5.5 rebounds per game and just over one steal and one block per contest.
 
As the non-conference season concludes Wednesday for Southern Indiana, the Screaming Eagles will next prepare for the start of the OVC season after the holidays. On December 29, USI will open the OVC season at Screaming Eagles Arena against Southeast Missouri State University for a 5 p.m. tip-off time.