EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball renewed an old rivalry against Northern Kentucky University on Saturday afternoon, as the two sides battled to a nail-biting finish with the Screaming Eagles collecting a 75-73 victory at Liberty Arena, home the Screaming Eagles.
 
With the win, Southern Indiana improved to 5-1 this season after a fourth consecutive victory and a 3-0 homestand. Northern Kentucky dropped to 2-4 after facing its third reigning conference champion in four games.
 
The two programs used to be former Division II rivals in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, and Saturday was the first meeting between USI and Northern Kentucky as Division I foes and the first clash since 2011-12. Just like the series history in the GLVC, USI and Northern Kentucky went down to the wire on Saturday.
 
Southern Indiana grabbed a 7-2 lead two minutes into the contest thanks to five early points from senior guard Vanessa Shafford. Northern Kentucky hit two consecutive threes to go in front, but Shafford answered with a determined drive to the basket to give USI a one-point lead, 9-8, at the midway point of the first quarter. USI doubled up Northern Kentucky, 16-8, with a 9-0 run, but a scoring drought in the last 2:40 of the opening period led to a 16-11 advantage for the Screaming Eagles through the first 10 minutes of action.
 
After NKU cut USI's lead down to two, 18-16, quickly in the second quarter, Shafford knocked down a triple to reach double digits and halt the Norse's momentum. Five straight points from junior guard Ali Saunders helped increase the Eagles' lead up to 10 by the six-minute mark of the second. Northern Kentucky remained within striking distance off a couple of made three-pointers in the middle of the quarter. Strong play late in the first half from sophomore forward Chloe Gannon, including a pair of inside baskets, kept the Eagles ahead going into halftime, 35-27.
 
Southern Indiana's defense forced Northern Kentucky into challenging shots to begin the second half, leading to good transition opportunities for USI. Following a stretch with multiple scorers for the Screaming Eagles, including a run by Saunders and graduate forward Meredith Raley, Shafford canned a three-point shot with 3:18 left in the third to give the Eagles their largest lead of the game, 53-34. Shafford reached the 20-point plateau by the end of the third, as USI led 59-43 going to the fourth quarter.
 
While Southern Indiana looked to maintain its double-digit margin, Northern Kentucky chipped away in the fourth quarter. The Norse climbed back within nine, 65-56, with 5:26 remaining in regulation. Following a 14-2 run, NKU pulled within one possession with 1:40 left, 69-66. The 19-point advantage for USI dwindled, as the Norse had not been within one possession since the early portion of the second quarter. After a big three-point play from graduate forward Madi Webb, Northern Kentucky did not go quietly by converting a three and a layup to make it a one-point ballgame with USI still up, 72-71, and 22 seconds on the clock. Made free throws helped the Eagles to a two-point lead, 75-73, with six seconds remaining before a foul on a three-point shot sent the Norse to the line for three attempts. Northern Kentucky missed all three, as Southern Indiana held on for the two-point victory.
 
For the game, USI shot for 44 percent (30-68) overall with six made threes. The Screaming Eagles were 9-14 for 64 percent at the free-throw line. USI also won the battle on the glass, 41-36. Shafford led all scorers with 24 points, two off her career high, on 9-15 shooting and four made treys with six rebounds and five steals. Saunders posted 15 points with seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Raley tallied 10 points and eight boards.
 
Northern Kentucky was 28-60 for nearly 47 percent shooting from the field with nine three-pointers. The Norse went 8-16 at the charity stripe. Two players reached double figures for the Norse with freshman guard Kamora Morgan charting 21 points.
 
Next, the Screaming Eagles will embark on a trip to Puerto Rico over Thanksgiving for two games against Youngstown State University Friday at 10 a.m. CT and Le Moyne College Saturday at 9:30 a.m. CT. Coverage links can be found online at usiscreamingeagles.com.