UNIVERSITY CENTER — The SVSU Women's Basketball team outplayed the USI Screaming Eagles in three-out-of-four quarters but was unable to secure the victory in fourth quarter as Southern Indiana took the contest 65-56 Sunday (Nov. 11) afternoon.

The Cardinals fall to a 0-2 start on the season, while USI heads to a 1-1 record on the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge. 

A tight back-and-fourth battle between the Eagles and the Cardinals for the first five minutes of action, with senior Hannah Settingsgaard posting a triple with two good shots from the line to go up 7-6 with seven minutes to go in the half. 

The Screaming Eagles pushed the lead out to nine points (16-7) with just under four minutes remaining, but SVSU responded quite quickly, shutting down the USI offense while going on an eight-point run heading into the second quarter. Abby Duffy and Maddie Maloney each scored three points in the final three minutes to trail USI 16-15. 

With a scoreless first three minutes of action in the second quarter, Julia Cianferra hit a shot from the top of the arch to take back the lead 18-16 over Southern Indiana. 

At the media timeout, the teams became knotted up 19-all. 

Freshman stand out Maloney was solid beyond the arc in the first half, going 3-for-5, heading into the halftime break with SVSU leading 29-24. 

Southern Indiana responded quickly in the opening minutes of the third quarter with a solid four point run, but Maloney, Settingsgaard and Duffy, teamed up to outscore the Screaming Eagles, 11-6 to hit the five minute mark leading 40-34. 

Maloney hit her sixth triple of the night for the Cardinals to push out the lead (43-36) with three minutes left in the third quarter. 

Heading into the final 10 minutes of action, SVSU led with Maddie Barrie posting the final layup of the quarter, securing the score, 47-42. 

The Screaming Eagles were not ready to give the victory to the Cardinals just yet, as USI went on a seven-point-run to take back the lead 49-47. The run was stopped by Settingaard who notched in a great layup to tie up the contest 49-49 all. 

Southern Indiana responded with an nine-point run to take the lead 58-49 before Duffy stopped USI with a basket to trail by seven at the 2:39' mark of the fourth quarter. 

To finalize the contest, USI led 23-9 in the final courter to take the victory, 67-58 overall. 

Inside the Box Score: 

• The Cardinals were led by freshman Maloney who went 6-for-10 in three-pointers, posting 18 points and four assists and four rebounds, earning herself the Meijer Player of the Game accolade. 
• Duffy had another double-double night, earning 13 points and 10 rebounds. She recorded three assists as well. 
• Settingsgaard posted 12 points and two rebounds as well. 
• Barrie grabbed seven points and four rebounds.
• SVSU led 12-10 in fast break points. 

Up Next...

The Cardinals will host Ohio Dominican during Thanksgiving week on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. in O'Neill Arena. Follow along live with the links found on the SVSU Women's Basketball schedule page. 

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