EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball returns home for the start of a two-game homestand on Monday night when the Screaming Eagles host Indiana University East for a 6 p.m. tipoff.
Monday's game can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM and on ESPN WREF 97.7 FM.
Leading up to Monday's tipoff, USI Public Safety is hosting a Stuff the Cruiser initiative to collect non-perishable items for Archie's Food Closet. A Public Safety cruiser will be parked in front of Liberty Arena during all home USI Basketball games from Sunday, November 16, through Sunday, November 30. Those wishing to donate can give items directly to the Public Safety employee or student worker stationed at the cruiser. Donations can also be dropped off at the Public Safety Office, located on the first floor of the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center.
The Screaming Eagles (2-1) are coming off a 68-52 road win last Wednesday at Saint Louis University to open USI's 2025-26 road schedule. Following a tight, defensive contest in the first half, USI pulled away late in the second half. Senior guard
Ali Saunders led five Screaming Eagles in double figures with a game-high 15 points. Junior guard
Sophia Loden was second with 12 points. Junior guard
Shannon Blacher and junior forward
Amiyah Buchanan each had 11, while junior forward
Chloe Gannon tallied 10 points.
USI was stout on the defensive end against Saint Louis, holding the Billikens to only 30 percent shooting overall in the contest. Plus, the Eagles held the Billikens to single-digit scoring in two of the fourth quarters.
Wednesday's victory at Saint Louis marked the first time USI opened its road slate with a win since moving up to Division I. USI's last true road-opening victory was against the University of Indianapolis in the 2017-18 season.
Through three games, Saunders paces USI at 19 points per game. Loden is second in scoring with 14.7 points per game. Gannon is averaging 12.3 points per outing. As a team, USI is averaging 76.7 points while holding the opposition to 58.7 points per game.
After recording her first career double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds against Murray State University on November 7, Loden continues to lead USI on the boards. Loden is averaging 8.3 rebounds per contest and has led USI on the glass in each game so far this season. The junior pulled down seven rebounds in the win at Saint Louis.
IU East (1-4), an NAIA program out of the River States Conference, has dropped four straight heading into Monday's game against the Screaming Eagles. The Red Wolves won their season opener, 76-72, against Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio). Last time out, IU East dropped a 108-72 decision at Olivet Nazarene (Illinois) on Saturday.
The Red Wolves guard Taylor Farris leads the Red Wolves. Farris tops the squad in points (22.0), rebounds (5.8), assists (3.8), steals (2.2), and minutes (33.6). Collectively, IU East averages 69.8 points per game on just over 38 percent shooting. IU East has allowed 86.6 points per contest through five games played.
USI and IU East are meeting for the first time.
Tickets for Monday and all home games at Liberty Arena can be purchased online at usiscreamingeagles.com or the USI Ticket Office.
