Back in action at Liberty Arena, USI’s women’s basketball team hosted Lindenwood University’s Lions in a hard fought, back and forth battle. Lindenwood sat in third in the OVC rankings with USI in fourth prior to the game. This game was a must win for both sides, looking to jockey for position in the standings early on.

After a total of four missed shots, the Lions were the first to score in the opening minutes. Lindenwood’s Ellie Brueggemann, sophomore guard, sank a three-pointer to set their tone for the game. Brueggemann was one of four to rack up points in the double digits for the Lions. USI’s Madi Webb, graduate forward, was not only the first to score for the Screaming Eagles but also put up the first six points. Webb led the team with eighteen points for the night. The Screaming Eagles were on the losing end of most of the first quarter.
With two and a half minutes remaining, Vanessa Shafford, senior guard, got things rolling after she hit a three-pointer to tie things up at thirteen. The following play, Shafford stole the ball and connected with Lexie Green, graduate guard, who went up for two points which gave USI their first lead of the game. They were able to maintain that lead heading into the second quarter with the score being 19-17.
Thirty seconds into the second quarter, Shafford increased the lead with a three-pointer, but they were not able to maintain it. After the fifth score change of the quarter the Lion’s Gracie Wernli, sophomore guard, put up a successful three-pointer with just under three minutes remaining. This gave them a 34-32 lead. Lindenwood maintained their lead for the rest of the second quarter. Their two-point lead turned into seven with the scoreboard set at 40-33 at the end of the first half.

Southern Indiana saw themselves down the entire third quarter, with their biggest deficit being down nine points. Lindenwood’s Justis Odom, senior center, was fouled on a fast break three minutes in. Odom went two for two from the line giving the Lions a 48-39 advantage. After this the Screaming Eagles were able to build some momentum. USI’s Meredith Raley, graduate forward, put up a quick four points from the paint, and Sophia Loden, sophomore guard and forward, went in for the layup off a fastbreak to give themselves a quick six points. However the Lions kicked it into gear, not letting the Screaming Eagles take the lead. At the end of the quarter, USI was in striking distance, the score being 55-53.

Southern Indiana found themselves fighting for a lead in the final quarter, which they were not able to do until crunch time. With four minutes remaining, Shafford found herself uncontested down low and finished the drill. Following this play Triniti Ralston, sophomore guard, put on the defensive pressure with a steal and created an offensive opportunity for Webb that ended up giving USI a one-point lead, 62-61.
The advantage was short lived, but the teams found themselves tied at 66 points with under a minute to go. Less than twenty seconds remained and Shafford, yet again, found herself wide open but this time from long distance. Shafford confidently fired from beyond the arc and drained it, which caused Fans to rise to their feet. This basket was the one that mattered the most, despite Shafford securing the win with a made free throw seconds later. The Screagles etched out a close victory by a final score being 70-66.