EVANSVILLE — University of Southern Indiana women’s basketball made sure to squash any hint of an upset.
The 3-seed Screaming Eagles defeated the 7-seed SIU-Edwardsville 72-44 in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinals on March 5 at Ford Center. The margin could have been higher due to a dominant defensive performance – SIUE shot a frigid 30% from the field and led for only 37 seconds.
That’s been the calling card of this group. USI (21-9) has held 16 opponents under 60 points this season.
“I thought we set the tone defensively,” USI coach Rick Stein said. “Our communication was spot on. I’ve said it since June 8 – this team had to guard to have success. Anytime you hold a team to 44 points, you have a chance to win. Our team was really in tune to who we are.”
Shannon Blacher led four in double figures with 15 points on 3 of 5 shooting from deep. Channah Gannon had 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Ali Saunders was efficient running the offense with nine points, eight boards and six assists.
USI was 10 of 18 from deep despite entering the tournament shooting 30% as a team. The most impressive aspect of this performance: the Screaming Eagles had 23 assists on 29 field goals.
“You have to find production from different sources,” Stein said. “Our inside-outside game was really in tune. That’s when we’re at our best. We shared the ball right today. It showed up right in a lot of ways.”
Southern Indiana earned a rematch against co-OVC regular season champion Lindenwood (24-7) at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. The Screaming Eagles lost to the Lions twice, by an average of 6 points. A victory puts them back in the OVC Championship – USI is eligible to play in the NCAA Tournament for the first time this season.
“The tougher team is going to win,” Saunders said. “It doesn’t have to be pretty. You’re out here to survive and advance. That’s real. It comes down to one or two possessions every single game. We really have to take care of the ball against Lindenwood. Value each possession offensively and defensively.”
USI women’s basketball vs. SIUE updates
FOURTH QUARTER
Final: Screaming Eagles (21-9) advance to the OVC semifinals tomorrow afternoon. Shannon Blacher led four in double figures with 15 points. USI hit 10 threes and held SIUE to 30 percent from the field. USI 72, SIUE 44.
5:18 – The only thing undecided now is the final score. Screaming Eagles were that much better, especially on the defensive front. USI 64, SIUE 34.
THIRD QUARTER
End of 3rd Q: Shannon Blacher ended the quarter with a one-handed flip from the top of the key. Barring a very poor showing over the next eight minutes, we should be looking at USI vs Lindenwood in the semifinals. Chloe Gannon leads the Screaming Eagles with 10 points. USI 50, SIUE 28.
6:17 – Screaming Eagles open the half on a 9-2 run. That stretch was punctuated by a three from Ali Saunders. SIUE up to a dozen turnovers. USI 40, SIUE 19.
SECOND QUARTER
Halftime: SIUE shot 18 percent from the field (5 of 28). Part of it is USI’s pressure – a lot of deep three-point attempts. The Cougars also aren’t making open looks. If the Screaming Eagles make shots inside, the lead would be 20-plus. Chloe and Channah Gannon combined for 15 points. USI 31, SIUE 17.
4:29 – Channah Gannon has six points on 3 of 5 shooting off the bench. The freshman has helped offset a quiet start from Ali Saunders (three points on 1 of 4 from the field). SIUE shooting a frigid 18 percent. USI 26, SIUE 15.
First Quarter
End of 1st Q: USI remains one of the best defensive units in the OVC. SIUE missed 12 straight shots and went over eight minutes without scoring. Kiyoko Proctor (SIUE’s leading scorer) left with three minutes remaining due to a lower body injury. USI 17, SIUE 8.
4:33 – Screaming Eagles are a perfect 3 of 3 from deep in the opening minutes, including two by Sophia Loden from the left wing. The offense hasn’t found the same success when getting the ball on the block, but the Cougars have missed seven straight. USI 13, SIUE 5.
USI starters: G – Ali Saunders, G – Shannon Blacher, F – Amiyah Buchanan, F – Sophia Loden, F – Chloe Gannon.
SIUE starters: G – Kiyoko Proctor, G – Macy Silvey, G – Ava Gugliuzza, F – Lauren Miller, C – Syanne Mohamed.
Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at kyle.sokeland@courierpress.com.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: USI women’s basketball rolls into OVC Tournament semifinals
Reporting by Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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