Looking to create a three-game win streak, the USI women’s basketball team faced off against the Saint Louis University Billikens at Liberty Arena this Sunday.
Before the game, the 2024 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and Women’s National Invitation Tournament Round One, banners were revealed in honor of the success of last year’s team. After the celebration, the Screaming Eagles were ready to defend their name. SLU beat USI last December and claimed the title of Women’s National Invitation Tournament champion, so revenge was on USI’s mind tonight.
USI’s Meredith Raley, graduate forward, scored the first five points for the Screaming Eagles, putting them up by one early on. However, that lead was short-lived. SLU’s Peyton Kennedy, graduate forward, went four for four on the line and drained one beyond the arc, giving SLU the lead, 13-9, with just under five minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Tying the game up at 16 a piece with two minutes remaining was USI’s Sophia Loden, sophomore guard/forward. Loden sank a three and then stole the ball the following play, causing the crowd to rise. With less than 30 seconds to go, USI’s Ali Saunders, junior guard, found Raley, who shot confidently again from downtown, giving USI a two-point lead heading into the second quarter.
It was a tie game with just over seven minutes in the second quarter at 21 each. That tie broke when Saunders nailed a three, and then Vanessa Shafford, senior guard, swiped the ball from SLU. The ball got to Saunders’ hands, who found Shafford open for another three.
Soon after, Raley battled SLU defenders and went up for two, leading to an SLU timeout. USI was up 29-21 with 4:44 left in the first half of gameplay.
Both teams went back and forth, but USI got the final shot heading into the second half. Madi Webb, graduate forward/center, hit a buzzer-beater three, putting USI up 42-30 at the half.
SLU put up a quick four points out of the gate, now down by eight. USI found itself in even more trouble as starter Triniti Ralston, sophomore guard, went down and was carried off the court. Trainers wrapped Ralston’s right leg, and she stayed out the rest of the game.
It was a physical game, with a total of 22 fouls called in the first half.
Shortly after, Billiken’s starter, Shun’teria Anumele, a freshman guard, fouled out. USI called a timeout with eight minutes left in the third quarter after SLU’s Mya Glanton, graduate forward, added three points to the board with an “and one.” USI remained in the lead at 44-39.
After the timeout, USI bounced back with a three from Raley. She helped put USI up at the end of the third quarter 56-47, leading USI in scoring with 19 for the night.
The physical play continued with a jump ball on the first play, alternating the possession in USI’s favor. SLU’s Tierra Simon, senior forward, was on the ground for a while after getting elbowed in the face, but she got up and stayed on the court.
USI’s Shafford hit a quick two, leading to a quick response by SLU’s Bri Johns, graduate guard/forward, who drained a three, putting the Billikens within eight in the final six minutes of action. SLU called a timeout two minutes after Shafford scored a bucket, followed by Saunders, who turned a breakaway into a layup — putting USI up 69-57.
In the final minute of play, SLU had another starter foul out, but they did not give up hope. Down by 12 with 40 seconds remaining, they called a timeout. However, the Screaming Eagles stole the ball on the first play and won 71-59.
USI moves to 4-1 and looks to close its three-game homestead. They will play against Northern Kentucky University at 3 p.m. Saturday before hitting the road to Puerto Rico over Thanksgiving break. They will play Youngstown State Nov. 29 and Le Moyne College Nov. 30 in the Puerto Rico Clasico.