EVANSVILLE, Ind. - University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball picked up a dominant 90-66 first-round victory over Tennessee State University to open the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Screaming Eagles improved to 21-11 overall (12-8 OVC) and advanced to Thursday's quarterfinal round to face no. 4 seed University of Arkansas at Little Rock for another 12:30 p.m. tipoff from Ford Center in downtown Evansville. Tennessee State ended its season 10-21 (6-14 OVC).
 
Southern Indiana burst out of the gate on Thursday, opening up a quick 17-2 advantage after 17 unanswered points. Graduate forward Meredith Raley led the early charge with eight of the team's first 17 points, including a massive three-point shot that forced Tennessee State into a timeout. The barrage continued through the rest of the quarter, as the Eagles scored 35 points on a blistering 72.2 percent from the field. Leading 35-10 after the first quarter, USI's 35 points marked a season high for points in a quarter for the Eagles.
 
After a triple by junior guard Ali Saunders early in the second quarter, Tennessee State found some life in the early minutes of the second with a 9-0 run. A layup by Raley stopped the Tigers' run. The Screaming Eagles responded and started firing again on the offensive end, outscoring the Tigers 18-16 for the remainder of the first half. Saunders had a tremendous second quarter, scoring eight points on 75 percent efficiency. Saunders had 14 first-half points, while Raley had a game-high 18 points with USI going into the halftime locker room up 56-33. The 56 first-half points matched a season high for points in a half by USI.
 
Out of the intermission, defenses made things difficult for both offenses. Tennessee State scored twice over the first four minutes, while Southern Indiana went scoreless for the first 4:30 of the second half. Sophomore forward Chloe Gannon snapped the drought and got USI on the second-half scoreboard with an offensive putback basket. Senior guard Vanessa Shafford heated up later in the third quarter, draining back-to-back three-pointers to spark the offense into gear. USI closed the third up 72-49.
 
Tennessee State started the fourth quarter strong, utilizing an 11-2 run over the first three and a half minutes of the fourth to climb back within 14, 74-60, and forcing USI into a timeout. The timeout kicked USI into action with a 10-0 run of its own that started with a second-chance basket from graduate forward Madi Webb. Shafford and Saunders continued to shoot the ball well late in the fourth, as USI stretched its lead back up to 26, 88-62, with 2:44 remaining. Even though the Tigers kept fighting, the scoring margin never dropped back below 20 in the final minutes.
 
Southern Indiana shot 60 percent (36-60) for the game, just short of the season best 62.5 percent in January at Southeast Missouri State University. USI went for nearly 53 percent (10-19) from beyond the arc and 73 percent (8-11) at the foul line. The Eagles controlled the glass, 42-30. Raley dropped a game-high 22 points on 9-9 shooting with seven rebounds. Shafford tallied 20 points and seven rebounds. Saunders matched a season-high 19 points and eight assists.
 
With Wednesday's performance, Raley jumped up to third on USI Women's Basketball's career scoring list. Raley passed Anna Hackert (2011-15, 1,607 points). Raley is up to 1,626 career points.
 
Tennessee State shot for just under 35 percent (24-69) from the floor and 30 percent (9-3) from three-point range. The Tigers were 9-12 for 75 percent at the free-throw stripe. Freshman guard Somah Kamara led Tennessee State with 17 points. Senior guard Saniah Parker scored 13 points.
 
On Thursday at 12:30 p.m., the Screaming Eagles will meet the Little Rock Trojans for the third time this season. Little Rock won both regular-season meetings, including an overtime result at Little Rock in January. The Trojans had a first-round bye as the no. 4 seed.
 
Prior to Thursday's game, USI alumni and fans can join in on another pregame pep rally and celebratory lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Rooftop across from Ford Center. After lunch, fans can head over to Ford Center for the game.
 
All games from the OVC Women's Basketball Championship Tournament can be seen live with a subscription to ESPN+. 95.7 FM The Spin and 97.7 FM WREF will have radio coverage of USI contests.