DETROIT -- The Wayne State University women's basketball team (0-3 overall) dropped its home opener, 67-55, to the visiting Screaming Eagles of the University of Southern Indiana (2-0 overall) Thursday evening at the Matthaei.

HOW IT HAPPENED

USI scored the first eight points of the contest as four different players accounted for two points each.  After being held scoreless for the first 3:25, the Warriors went a 13-0 run as the Screaming Eagles went pointless for over six minutes.  A lay-up by USI's Kaydie Grooms in the final 15 seconds of the opening stanza tied the contest at 13-13.  Sophomore India Hawkins (Detroit, Mich. / Edison Public School Academy) led WSU with four points in the first quarter.

The game was tied twice in the first 4:40 of the second period before Southern Indiana out-scored Wayne State 15-2 over the final 5:06 before intermission.  The Warriors shot just 23 percent (3-of-13) in the second stanza and were out-scored 20-7 in the period.  USI led 33-20 at halftime.

The Screaming Eagles increased their lead to 14 (34-20) in the first 20 seconds after the break.  Over the next 7:45, WSU responded with a 15-5 run to pull within four points (39-35) on a lay-up by junior Shannon Wilson (West Bloomfield, Mich. / Bloomfield Hills).  The Warriors continued to claw their way back into the contest ending the third quarter by scoring five of the period's final eight points to make it a two-point game (42-40) heading into the final stanza.  Wayne State had a 20-9 edge in scoring during the third period.

Senior Christina Green (Southfield, Mich. / Lathrup) split a pair from the charity stripe on the opening possession of the fourth quarter, before 7-0 spurt by Southern Indiana put the guests ahead by eight (49-41) with 7:45 left.  Wilson made 1-of-2 from the foul line to at the 6:55 mark to get WSU within five (49-44), but the Screaming Eagles answered with an 8-0 run to open a 13-point advantage (57-44).  Wayne State was never closer than 10 the rest of the contest.

TEAM STATS

Wayne State shot 39 percent (19-of-49) from the floor compared to 31 percent (22-of-71) for USI.  Both teams attempted 15 three-point shots with the Screaming Eagles making three to WSU's two.  The Warriors converted 68 percent (15-of-22) of their foul shots, while Southern Indiana was 65 percent (20-of-31) from the charity stripe.

Southern Indiana had a 20-rebound advantage (56 to 36) in the game, including 30 offensive rebounds to WSU's 28 defensive boards.

WSU LEADERS

Freshman Nastassja Chambers (Ypsilanti, Mich. / Arbor Prep) tallied a team-high 14 points with Wilson adding 11 points.  Senior Ajai Meeks (Detroit, Mich. / Pershing) grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.

USI LEADERS

Morgan Dahlstrom recorded a double-double with 12 points and a game-best 17 rebounds, while Tanner Macum totaled a game-high 17 points to lead four Screaming Eagles in double figures, along with six steals.  Grooms contributed 13 points, while Hannah Wascher had 12 points and nine rebounds.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will play game two of its five-game home stand on Wednesday (Nov. 23) at 3 p.m. against NAIA foe Keiser University (West Palm Beach, Fla.).  The Seahawks are 4-2 heading into a contest on Saturday, plus have an exhibition win over Division 2 school Lynn University.