Hannah Wascher completed two free-throws, shot a smile to the bench and jogged down the court.

She struggled from the free-throw line in the women’s basketball’s win against Alice Lloyd College and said free-throws have not been her strong suit this season.

“It was just a relief to finally make them,” the junior forward said.

She was 3-7 from the free throw line, but led the team in points and rebounds in its 82-45 win over Alice Lloyd.

Wascher ended the night with 21 points and 13 rebounds. She was followed by sophomore guard Kaydie Grooms with 13 points, junior guards Tanner Marcum with 12 points and Kendyl Dearing with 10.

The team was coming off an almost 30 point loss and Wascher said it was even better to win because of that.

“It felt good to get our feet back under us,” Wascher said, “and get back to playing the ball we know how to play.”

Sophomore guard Randa Harshbarger led the team in assists, with eight for the night, and said communication was one of the main reasons for their previous loss.

“Tonight we picked up (communication) a little more and it resulted in a W,” she said.

Wascher said the team felt like they gained a little more control in the second half.

USI outscored Alice Lloyd 21-7 to start the second half, which Wascher said was due to a surge in the team’s enthusiasm.

“We started to get that little pep in our step and a little bit of excitement,” she said.

Harshbarger said the last 30 minutes of the game it was noticeably different on court and sideline.

“There was a lot more smiles, a lot more yelling going on,” she said, “instead of just like bad body language, heads down.”

Wascher said attitude during a game is important no matter if the team is winning or losing.
“In basketball you have one possession that could make or break the game so you have to keep your level of competitiveness and enthusiasm up at all times.”