ST. CHARLES, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball fell on the road Saturday afternoon, 75-65, at Lindenwood University for the Screaming Eagles' first blemish in Ohio Valley Conference play.
 
The Screaming Eagles (9-4, 3-1 OVC) were wrapping up their first OVC road swing on Saturday and entered the day as the only OVC team unbeaten in conference action. While Lindenwood (10-5, 2-2 OVC) handed USI its first conference loss, the Eagles remained among the top of the OVC standings at the end of the day, sitting in a tie with four other teams for first place.
 
On Saturday, USI shot just over 38 percent overall (23-60) with six made three-pointers for nearly 32 percent from beyond the arc. The Eagles went 13-15 for above 86 percent at the free-throw line. The Eagles edged the Lions on the glass, 35-34.
 
Senior guard Ali Saunders led all scorers in the game with 23 points on 7-20 shooting with five made triples. Saunders also grabbed a season-high seven rebounds and dished out a team-best four assists. During the game, Saunders recorded her 400^th career assist. Freshman forward Channah Gannon dropped 13 points with five rebounds and three steals.
 
Lindenwood shot over 48 percent (28-58) from the floor with six three-pointers. The Lions were also 13-15 for over 86 percent at the charity stripe. Lindenwood had four players finish in double figures in the scoring column.
 
The game featured a flying start with both sides combining to score on the game's first six possessions, leading to a 7-7 tie two minutes into the contest. Saunders led the early charge for the Screaming Eagles, scoring seven of USI's first nine points. Lindenwood built a 19-13 advantage with 2:25 left in the first quarter, but the Eagles closed back in. A Saunders three-pointer and a last-second layup by freshman guard Lily Graves brought USI within two, 20-18, at the end of the opening frame. Both teams shot over 55 percent in the first period. Saunders finished with 12 first-quarter points.
 
After a basket by Channah Gannon tied the game at 20 early in the second quarter, Lindenwood went on a 7-0 run over three minutes. Junior forward Amiyah Buchanan ended nearly a four-minute scoring drought for USI near the 5:30 mark of the second. After the Lions went up by nine, 31-22, with 4:30 left in the first half, the Screaming Eagles climbed back with a triple by Saunders and a three-point play by junior forward Chloe Gannon. USI pulled within three, 34-31, going into halftime.
 
Lindenwood extended its lead to eight, 43-35, two minutes into the second half, but Saunders picked up where she left off and answered by draining another trey. Later in the third, Channah Gannon cashed in a layup and made a pair at the foul line to help bring USI within five, 47-42, with 4:30 left in the third quarter. However, the Lions responded and gradually increased their lead to double figures, leading 58-47 at the end of the third.
 
USI got back within eight, 60-52, early in the fourth quarter after a Saunders three and a basket by junior forward Maddy Fay, forcing a Lions timeout. However, USI's offense stalled for three minutes in the middle of the period. Meanwhile, Lindenwood tacked on to its lead, reaching a 15-point differential, 73-58. USI got it back down to 10 before running out of time.
 
USI Women's Basketball will return home to Liberty Arena next week for a pair against Southeast Missouri State on January 8 and the University of Tennessee at Martin on January 10. Both games are slated for 5 p.m. tipoffs and can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ or heard on The Spin 95.7 FM and WREF 97.7 FM.
 
Tickets for all home games at Liberty Arena can be purchased online at usiscreamingeagles.com or the USI Ticket Office.