EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball continues Ohio Valley Conference action this week with a road game at Tennessee Tech University Thursday before returning to Screaming Eagles Arena Saturday against Lindenwood University. Both contests are slated to tip off at 5 p.m.
 
On Saturday, USI Women's Basketball will host its annual Play4Kay game. The Screaming Eagles will wear pink uniforms, and fans are encouraged to join USI's efforts in raising breast cancer awareness by wearing pink at the game and making Screaming Eagles Arena a SEA of Pink. Plus, special pink t-shirts will be on sale at the game while supplies last. T-shirt proceeds will benefit cancer research.
 
The Play4Kay game, which is named after the late Hall of Fame coach Kay Yow (North Carolina State), who passed away in 2009 following a 22-year battle with cancer, is the WBCA's breast cancer awareness initiative. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and to join the fight, go to https://wbca.org/about/kay-yow-cancer-fund.
 
Saturday's home game is also Senior Day, as USI Women's Basketball will recognize five seniors – guard Soffia Rieckers (Evansville, Indiana), guard/forward Lexi Thompson (Lafayette, Indiana), forward Tara Robbe (Wildwood, Missouri), forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio), and graduate forward Ashlynn Brown (Perrysburg, Ohio).
 
The Screaming Eagles (10-13, 4-8) are coming off a split homestand last week, falling 59-55 against Tennessee State before concluding the homestand with a 58-46 win against Morehead State. USI captured the win behind tough defense and 46 rebounds with 17 on the offensive glass that led to 19 second-chance points. Sophomore guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) recorded a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Haithcock had 18 points and eight boards.
 
Shafford has four double-doubles this season, and Haithcock has scored 14 or more points in 12 of the last 16 games for USI. During the current 16-game stretch, Haithcock is averaging 15.7 points per game. She is also averaging 7.4 rebounds per game during the same span.
 
On the season, Haithcock leads USI with 14.9 points per game and is second in rebounds with 6.3 a game. Junior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) is second with 13.6 points per game after matching a career high with 23 points last Thursday and averaging 17.5 points in two games last week. Shafford is third on the team with 13.0 points per contest. Shafford leads the team with 7.4 rebounds per game.
 
Thursday will be the first all-time meeting between Tennessee Tech and USI, while Saturday will be the second meeting of the season against Lindenwood. USI won the first game, 73-60, on January 19 at Lindenwood.
 
Tennessee Tech has a 14-8 overall record and is 8-4 in the OVC. The Golden Eagles snapped a brief two-game skid and have now won three of their last five games after starting 5-1 in conference play.
 
On the season, Tennessee Tech is led by senior guard Maaliya Owens at 13.5 points per contest. Senior guard Jada Guinn and Walker are second on the team with 10.0 points per game.
 
Lindenwood is 2-18 this season with a 1-11 record in the OVC.  Last time out, Lindenwood picked up an 84-75 home win against UT Martin in Lindenwood's first game played since January 21. Before the UT Martin win, Lindenwood had to forfeit three straight games due to not enough players being available because of injury and illness.
 
Sophomore guard Mary McGrath paces the Lions on the season with 12.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Graduate guard Devin Fuhring is second on the squad at 10.7 points per outing.
 
Both matchups can be seen live with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on 95.7 FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com). Tickets to Saturday's home game can be purchased online at usi.universitytickets.com.
 
Purchase All-Session Passes to the OVC Tournament, Support USI Athletics
 
The Ohio Valley Conference Tournament will be held at the Ford Center in Downtown Evansville March 1 through March 4. USI Athletics is offering a special discount on All-Session Ticket Books through February 24.
 
Purchase a Ticket Book through USI Athletics and attend ALL EIGHT SESSIONS for ONLY $60 (adult single session tickets are $30 & $20 for men's sessions and $15 for women's sessions + fees). This special offer allows you to avoid ticket fees AND $30 from each ticket book sold comes back to support USI student athletes. Ticket books purchased through USI Athletics will be available for pickup on campus prior to the first session at the Ford Center on March 1 and specific details on pickup will accompany your purchase confirmation.
 
Plan to purchase your All-Session OVC Tournament Tickets through the University of Southern Indiana Athletics Office (Link) to show your support for Screaming Eagles Basketball!