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EVANSVILLE — University of Southern Indiana coach Rick Stein had a directive for his team in the locker room.
The message was two-fold in its meaning. He wanted the Screaming Eagles to fight back to have any chance of advancing in the postseason. But if it was the end, then finish one of the better two-year stretches in program history on their own terms.
Those words were heeded earnestly.
'We stayed the course': How Southern Indiana women's basketball advanced in WNIT
USI had its season end with a 76-64 loss to Buffalo on Thursday at Liberty Arena in the Super 16 of the WNIT. The final leg of a second straight postseason appearance in Division I. The final time on the hardwood for five seniors.
The message never changed – no regrets.
“You have to take pride in the accomplishments,” said Stein. “It’s hard to feel that way right now, but this team will. So many great things on and off the court that will go forever. A special team and a special group.”
Southern Indiana (23-13) didn’t have its best. It surrendered 22 turnovers – Buffalo had a 20-3 advantage in fastbreak points – and shot a rough 6 of 30 from the perimeter. The Screaming Eagles trailed by 16 at halftime following a woeful second quarter.
Much credit goes to Buffalo. The defensive pressure led to numerous mistakes. The Bulls (27-7) only averaged four three-pointers per game but went 8-for-25 from deep. Four players were in double figures, even with star Chellia Watson struggling from the field – she still had a game-high 16 points.
Give a re-do on the second quarter and perhaps USI has a chance late. It never led in this game.
“Bad offense led to bad defense,” said Stein. “If we could have gotten it to six or five, the place would have erupted. We were in a hurry, took quick shots and they made us pay in transition. Buffalo gave us their best tonight. We were getting everybody’s best (this year).”
What stood out was the resolve from USI. It fought back to within single digits on multiple occasions. It was similar to how this team responded at various points of the season.
The Screaming Eagles had Indiana on the ropes in Bloomington. It won at MVC champion Murray State. Following a disappointing conference finish, USI won two games at Ford Center in the OVC Tournament before giving eventual champion Tennessee Tech a battle. The Screaming Eagles never surrendered, even during rough patches.
Triniti Ralston had a team-high 15 points. Chloe Gannon (14 points and six rebounds) kept the offense afloat in the first half. Meredith Raley concluded her illustrious career with 10 points and seven boards.
“It took a lot to beat us,” said senior Vanessa Shafford. “Grateful we got the opportunity to play more after the OVC Tournament. It is something I will never take for granted. Our coaching staff had faith in us, and we had faith in each other. That’s something you don’t find everywhere.”
It concludes one of the better two-year runs in program history considering the circumstances. USI won the OVC regular season and tournament championships in 2024. It followed with 23 victories and a second straight appearance in the WNIT. The Screaming Eagles advanced one round further this year.
More: USI women's basketball showed the best version of itself in the OVC Tournament
There are moments from the Division II era that belong in the conversation – USI advanced to the national championship in 1997. But the program was arguably ahead of schedule in a transition to Division I. There are no restrictions beginning next year, and a blueprint for how future teams can succeed.
“When I decided I was coming here,” said Raley. “(Stein’s) pitch to me was, ‘If you want to win, you come here.’ It’s like a family. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything and tells you how it is. That’s how you get better. He’s prepared me for everything in life in the best way possible.
“There’s a lot of people who don’t have the years here that I’ve had or the experiences I’ve had. Just very thankful for all of those.”
That success is a reflection of the senior class: Raley, Shafford, Madi Webb, Lauren Carie and Lexie Green. Three of them chose to return for a fifth year. Multiple accolades and record books changed. Their impact goes beyond wins and losses or the addition of another banner to Liberty Arena.
Stein has been the head coach at his alma mater for nearly three decades. He understands what is required to succeed. He saw it every day this season from the group who left the program in a better place.
“We take pride in recruiting really good players, really good students and outstanding people,” said Stein. “Those five are the perfect fit. They’re the epitome of it. When you have this kind of success, you remember it forever. In 25 or 30 years, they’re going to get back together and it will be like they never left. That group will be friends for life.”
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: WNIT basketball: Buffalo defeats Southern Indiana in Super 16
Continue reading...
The message was two-fold in its meaning. He wanted the Screaming Eagles to fight back to have any chance of advancing in the postseason. But if it was the end, then finish one of the better two-year stretches in program history on their own terms.
Those words were heeded earnestly.
'We stayed the course': How Southern Indiana women's basketball advanced in WNIT
USI had its season end with a 76-64 loss to Buffalo on Thursday at Liberty Arena in the Super 16 of the WNIT. The final leg of a second straight postseason appearance in Division I. The final time on the hardwood for five seniors.
The message never changed – no regrets.
“You have to take pride in the accomplishments,” said Stein. “It’s hard to feel that way right now, but this team will. So many great things on and off the court that will go forever. A special team and a special group.”
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Southern Indiana (23-13) didn’t have its best. It surrendered 22 turnovers – Buffalo had a 20-3 advantage in fastbreak points – and shot a rough 6 of 30 from the perimeter. The Screaming Eagles trailed by 16 at halftime following a woeful second quarter.
Much credit goes to Buffalo. The defensive pressure led to numerous mistakes. The Bulls (27-7) only averaged four three-pointers per game but went 8-for-25 from deep. Four players were in double figures, even with star Chellia Watson struggling from the field – she still had a game-high 16 points.
Give a re-do on the second quarter and perhaps USI has a chance late. It never led in this game.
“Bad offense led to bad defense,” said Stein. “If we could have gotten it to six or five, the place would have erupted. We were in a hurry, took quick shots and they made us pay in transition. Buffalo gave us their best tonight. We were getting everybody’s best (this year).”
What stood out was the resolve from USI. It fought back to within single digits on multiple occasions. It was similar to how this team responded at various points of the season.
The Screaming Eagles had Indiana on the ropes in Bloomington. It won at MVC champion Murray State. Following a disappointing conference finish, USI won two games at Ford Center in the OVC Tournament before giving eventual champion Tennessee Tech a battle. The Screaming Eagles never surrendered, even during rough patches.
You must be registered for see images attach
Triniti Ralston had a team-high 15 points. Chloe Gannon (14 points and six rebounds) kept the offense afloat in the first half. Meredith Raley concluded her illustrious career with 10 points and seven boards.
“It took a lot to beat us,” said senior Vanessa Shafford. “Grateful we got the opportunity to play more after the OVC Tournament. It is something I will never take for granted. Our coaching staff had faith in us, and we had faith in each other. That’s something you don’t find everywhere.”
It concludes one of the better two-year runs in program history considering the circumstances. USI won the OVC regular season and tournament championships in 2024. It followed with 23 victories and a second straight appearance in the WNIT. The Screaming Eagles advanced one round further this year.
More: USI women's basketball showed the best version of itself in the OVC Tournament
There are moments from the Division II era that belong in the conversation – USI advanced to the national championship in 1997. But the program was arguably ahead of schedule in a transition to Division I. There are no restrictions beginning next year, and a blueprint for how future teams can succeed.
“When I decided I was coming here,” said Raley. “(Stein’s) pitch to me was, ‘If you want to win, you come here.’ It’s like a family. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything and tells you how it is. That’s how you get better. He’s prepared me for everything in life in the best way possible.
“There’s a lot of people who don’t have the years here that I’ve had or the experiences I’ve had. Just very thankful for all of those.”
You must be registered for see images
That success is a reflection of the senior class: Raley, Shafford, Madi Webb, Lauren Carie and Lexie Green. Three of them chose to return for a fifth year. Multiple accolades and record books changed. Their impact goes beyond wins and losses or the addition of another banner to Liberty Arena.
Stein has been the head coach at his alma mater for nearly three decades. He understands what is required to succeed. He saw it every day this season from the group who left the program in a better place.
“We take pride in recruiting really good players, really good students and outstanding people,” said Stein. “Those five are the perfect fit. They’re the epitome of it. When you have this kind of success, you remember it forever. In 25 or 30 years, they’re going to get back together and it will be like they never left. That group will be friends for life.”
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: WNIT basketball: Buffalo defeats Southern Indiana in Super 16
Continue reading...
