'We stayed the course': Southern Indiana women's basketball advances in WNIT

EVANSVILLE — The common theme for college basketball teams in March? Just win.

University of Southern Indiana women’s basketball is the latest recipient of this lesson. Few traits of how it played on Sunday were considered atheistically pleasing. Just take a peep at its shooting percentage. It matters little if the end goal is secured.

The Screaming Eagles advanced to the Super 16 round of the WNIT with a 60-51 victory over Campbell at Liberty Arena. USI (23-12) now moves one step further than it did a year ago in the same tournament.

Again, style points carry little significance this month if you win.

“We stayed the course," said USI coach Rick Stein. "Our intensity was spot on. We didn't make a lot of baskets. It was a grind out there. That's why we always say, if you hold teams under 60 you have a chance to win. We kept fighting. We had players making plays from every angle."

Southern Indiana's Meredith Raley (22) celebrates a three-point shot as the University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles play the Campbell University Fighting Camels in the second-round of the WNIT at Liberty Arena in Evansville, Ind., Sunday, March 23, 2025.

There were signs of an early postseason exit. The Screaming Eagles shot a rough 33 percent from the floor and only 5 of 19 from deep. Their backcourt, in particular, struggled to find any success on a combined 3-for-22 from the field. That doesn't win many tournament games.

This was the first outing for USI in 16 days following the OVC Tournament semifinal loss to Tennessee Tech. It brings about a rust versus rest discussion, but Stein said the first practice back was the best of the season. Sometimes, the ball doesn't go through the net.

Why USI is still standing was rock-solid defense. Campbell (22-13) was worse from the field at 32 percent – most of its success came with 10 offensive rebounds in the opening quarter. Once the Screaming Eagles cleaned up the glass, the momentum incrementally shifted. USI never trailed following the opening minute of the second quarter.

“Our main focus every single day is defense," said senior Meredith Raley. "Working on getting stops and playing the type of defense we want to play. When your shot is not falling, you can always play great defense."

The offensive success came via bully ball inside. Raley had 20 points and seven rebounds – her three-pointer from the top of the key with 1:15 remaining gave the building a needed jolt of energy. Madi Webb also added 13 points and six boards, carrying the team through middle-quarter lulls.

The bench erupts as the University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles play the Campbell University Fighting Camels in the second-round of the WNIT at Liberty Arena in Evansville, Ind., Sunday, March 23, 2025.

Both had their hands of the game’s defining moment. Webb scored on the block to put USI up four with 3 minutes left. Sophia Loden came up with an immediate steal at mid-court. Raley converted a layup within seconds. The Camels never got within four again.

The Screaming Eagles finished 19 of 20 at the foul line. Chloe Gannon gave a lift off the bench with eight points.

"We just had to find a way," said Webb. "Our last two weeks of practice, we've kept it pretty up-tempo. Tonight was a little bit of a slump, but we played team basketball. That usually gets the job done."

The lone concern moving forward might be health. Raley and Amiyah Buchanan were both sidelined briefly. Triniti Ralston left midway in the first quarter with a possible lower leg injury – she only returned to the bench after halftime.

The good news? USI will host its next opponent on Thursday at 6 p.m. Buffalo (26-7) defeated UMass 84-82 in overtime ‒ guard Chellia Watson has over 2,000 career points. Its another opportunity for the Screaming Eagles to play meaningful postseason basketball when this group has already put the program on the map in Division I.

“This team doesn't want to go home," said Stein. "They love playing together and love each other. Our team is fighting for our university right now and trying to get more 'Ws' in a national tournament. I thought you saw two good postseason teams trying to fight to get to the next round."

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: WNIT basketball: Southern Indiana defeats Campbell in second round

Topics

Cougars advance in WNIT behind Tuhina's clutch 3, Covill's big block

Mar. 25—PULLMAN — Washington State junior Astera Tuhina has a knack for achieving triumph amid disaster. And it's a trait that the Cougs have come to rely on. With the WSU women's basketball team ...
Yahoo Sports - 11h
Campbell women rally to win WNIT opener

Campbell completed an eight-point fourth quarter comeback to knock off Coastal Carolina 57-55 in the first round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament Thursday night at the HTC Center. ...
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Army bows to Lehigh in Patriot League women's basketball final, accepts berth in WNIT

Army bowed to Lehigh in the Patriot League women's basketball final. Black Knights secure first postseason berth since 2016 as they play in WNIT.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
WSU women's hoops earns WNIT invite

Mar. 17—It's March, and the Cougars are not quite done playing basketball just yet. For the fifth straight year, the Washington State women's basketball team earned a postseason berth. WSU will ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
Washington State women face Utah Valley in first round of WNIT, hoping to build for next year

Mar. 23—With just one senior, it's obvious that the Washington State women's basketball team is using the postseason as a springboard for next season. But, the Cougars aren't in any hurry to get to ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Spartans advance in Big Ten Tournament with double digit victory over Oregon

Michigan State basketball has opened their Big Ten Tournament with a victory over Oregon in the quarterfinal.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
NMSU women fall to North Dakota State in 2nd round of WNIT

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — New Mexico State women’s basketball was handed a 68-65 loss by North Dakota State at the Scheels Center at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex in Fargo, North Dakota on ...
Yahoo Sports - 19h
RCTC women's basketball team powers through to win national quarterfinal

Mar. 13—ROCHESTER — It wasn't the prettiest victory the RCTC women's basketball team has had this season, but sometimes tournament time is about nothing more than surviving and advancing. That's ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
How far will Michigan basketball advance in the NCAA tournament? We ask our experts

We ask our columnists and beat reporters how far Michigan basketball will advance in the NCAA tournament
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17

'We stayed the course': Southern Indiana women's basketball advances in WNIT

Topics

Related

Cougars advance in WNIT behind Tuhina's clutch 3, Covill's big block

Campbell women rally to win WNIT opener

Army bows to Lehigh in Patriot League women's basketball final, accepts berth in WNIT

WSU women's hoops earns WNIT invite

Washington State women face Utah Valley in first round of WNIT, hoping to build for next year

Spartans advance in Big Ten Tournament with double digit victory over Oregon

NMSU women fall to North Dakota State in 2nd round of WNIT

RCTC women's basketball team powers through to win national quarterfinal

How far will Michigan basketball advance in the NCAA tournament? We ask our experts

More from Yahoo Sports

Sterling's Madison Austin named All-State second team by Illinois Media

Shedeur Sanders landing spots: Where QB could end up after Russell Wilson, Giants deal

2025 Sauk Valley baseball preview capsules

Stanford women remain unbeaten, beats stacked field in Charles Schwab at Colonial

Oregon State Guard Nate Kingz Enters Transfer Portal

More in Sports

Jimmy's back in Miami: Follow live as the Warriors visit the Heat

Follow live: Rivals Brazil, Argentina meet in World Cup qualifier

Ronaldo: Penalty miss? Knew Portugal would win

Blatter, Platini cleared in FIFA corruption case

Güler, Szoboszlai continue feud: 'This guy a joke'