The USI Women’s Basketball team’s journey to the OVC Tournament looks a little different than last year’s, but nonetheless, they are headed back to the Ford Center in effort to repeat as tournament champions. After losing their final two games of the season, the women ended the regular season play with an accumulative record of 20-11 and 12-8 in the conference. The conference record was good enough for fifth place in the OVC, USI will face the eight seed Tennessee State in the first round. The winner will move on to the second round to face Little Rock.
Last year, USI received a bye in the first two rounds, which sent them straight to the semifinals and to top it off, an OVC championship. However, the road to get to the finals will be a little longer this year, but do not count the women’s team out yet. This team has depth and experience to win at the Division I level and don’t back down from the toughest of opponents.
Madi Webb, graduate forward/center, Chloe Gannon, sophomore forward/center and Amiyah Buchanan sophomore forward/center have all proven to be consistent and can stand their ground amid pressure. Amiyah in particular brings versatility as she can play power forward at times, pairing with Webb or Gannon.
(Will Kessinger)
Additionally, Meredith Raley, graduate student forward and Vanessa Shafford, senior guard, have been huge scoring contributors. Raley leads the team with an average of just under fourteen points per game. Shafford is close behind with a little over twelve points per game. However, Shafford has been putting up big numbers recently with an average of fifteen points per game in the last two games of February against Western Illinois and Lindenwood and then putting up twenty-four points against SEMO in the homecoming game.
While there are plenty of players who are able to score, the ball has to come down the court first. Ali Saunders, junior guard, has proven she is able to do both. Saunders handles the ball with confidence and makes plays happen. She leads the team with assists and steals. She can also be a playmaker, sitting in third for most points per game.
However, there was a period when Saunders was out with an injury for parts of January and the team didn’t look the same and averaged 65 points per contest during this stretch. Sophia Loden, sophomore guard/forward stepped in and was solid during this stretch, averaging 11.75 ppg, on almost 60 percent from the field. She has also shown herself to be a staunch defender that can be plugged in to guard opposing wings and forwards. She’s an excellent role player, who contributes in a multitude of ways.
Another role player, Lexie Green, graduate guard, has stepped into a different role this season as a reserve combo-guard, capable of playing the point and shooting guard. She has an excellent IQ and doesn’t take unnecessary risks as a ball-handler, something that isn’t a given for most guards.
Finally, there’s Triniti Ralston, sophomore guard, who is the X-Factor of the team. She brings a fearless mindset and work ethic that the team thrives on. She has an innate ability to push the pace and lead the offense. When she’s at the top of her game, she has the potential to be the best player on the court.
(Alex Mendoza)
Individually, everyone has something to offer on this team from Triniti Ralston, sophomore guard, who always brings the energy, to Raley and Shafford lighting up the scoreboard, but when the team connects as one and works together, they are a tough team to beat on any given night.
They may not be in the same position as they were last year, but the Eagles have worked hard to get here and I can see them fighting hard to repeat as tournament champions.
The University of Southern Indiana women’s basketball team will take on Tennessee State University in the first round of the Women’s Basketball Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Wednesday at 12:30 pm at the Ford Center. The full Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Women’s Tournament Bracket can be found here.
