EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball returned home to Liberty Arena Thursday night with a dominant bounce-back victory, downing Southeast Missouri State University by a final score of 77-46.
 
After a tough road loss last Saturday, USI Women's Basketball (10-4, 4-1 OVC) established itself on both ends of the court on Thursday night, turning strong defense into offense and cashing in at the free-throw line. USI shot 35.6 percent (21-59) overall and over 36 percent (7-19) from beyond the arc. The Screaming Eagles converted at the foul line frequently, going 28-35 for 80 percent. USI also took control on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 45-26. 21 offensive boards led to 15 second-chance points. Defensively, USI forced 30 turnovers and recorded 17 steals, leading to 39 USI points off turnovers and 20 fast-break points.
 
Senior guard Ali Saunders led all scorers with 27 points on 6-10 shooting overall, 5-8 from three, and 10-11 at the charity stripe. The outing was Saunders' second straight 20-point game and fourth in the last seven games. Saunders has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games. Saunders' 10 made free throws is the most made in a game by a USI player since Emma DeHart went 10-10 vs. West Texas A&M in December 2021.
 
Additionally, during Thursday's game, Saunders established a new program record for most consecutive free throws made by setting a new mark of 41. The previous record has been held by Kathy Lauck since the 1993-94 season.
 
Other notable performances from Thursday's triumph included junior guard Sophia Loden notching her sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and junior forward Chloe Gannon also scored double digits with 10 points.
 
Southeast Missouri (5-9, 1-4 OVC) shot just under 35 percent (16-46) from the floor, under 27 percent from three (7-26), and below 64 percent (7-11) at the free-throw line.
 
The Screaming Eagles came out of the gates with a fast start, taking a quick 10-1 lead through the first four and a half minutes. Saunders was an early catalyst, tallying 14 first-quarter points. Meanwhile, the Eagles' defense stifled the Redhawks into nine turnovers in the opening period, which USI converted into 18 points. USI led 24-10 at the end of the first quarter.
 
Saunders picked up where she left off from the first quarter by opening the second period with a three pointer. However, USI went the next three minutes without a field goal until freshman forward Channah Gannon scored to give the Eagles a 20-point advantage, 31-11, as USI's defense continued to lock down the Southeast Missouri. The Eagles went on an 11-0 run in the latter portion of the second quarter, increasing their lead to 40-11 with three minutes left in the first half. After some exchanged baskets, USI went into the halftime break ahead 46-19. Saunders dropped 21 points in the first half, while USI capitalized with 25 points off turnovers defensively and 11 second-chance points on the offensive glass.
 
The two teams came out of halftime going back and forth. However, the contest turned into a low-scoring defensive battle. With USI up 54-26 and under five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Loden scored on offensive putback to register her sixth double-double of the season. SEMO scored four points in the final minute of the third, as USI led 58-32 at the end of the third period.
 
After a slow offensive start to the fourth quarter, Saunders tacked on to her scoring performance with a three-pointer at the 7:30 mark, extending the Eagles' advantage to 30, 62-32. About a minute later, Chloe Gannon became the third Screaming Eagle in double figures with a hook shot in the paint. After a little bit of a dry spell from the floor in the middle of the fourth quarter, freshman guard Lily Graves drained back-to-back triples off the bench to put the final exclamation marks on USI's big win.
 
Through Thursday's action around the Ohio Valley Conference, USI sits in a three-way tie for first alongside Western Illinois University and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a 4-1 conference record.
 
The Screaming Eagles turn back around on Saturday with an Ohio Valley Conference matchup against the University of Tennessee at Martin inside Liberty Arena. The game starts at 5 p.m.
 
For Saturday, USI Athletics invites USI employees to come support the Screaming Eagles on USI Employee Appreciation Night. USI employees are eligible for up to four (4) free tickets for both games of the doubleheader at Liberty Arena. Additional tickets can be purchased at regular price. Tickets can be ordered online at usi.universitytickets.com.
 
Saturday's game can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ and 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.