EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — Ali Saunders scored 27 points to lead Southern Indiana to a 77-46 victory over Southeast Missouri State in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at the Physical Activities Center. The Screaming Eagles (10-4) dominated early, building a 46-19 halftime lead behind a 24-point first quarter. The Redhawks (5-9) never recovered, committing 29 turnovers that Southern Indiana converted into 39 points. Carmen Taylor led Southeast Missouri State with 14 points. Southern Indiana shot 28 for 35 from the free-throw line and outrebounded the Redhawks 15-4 on the offensive glass. The Screaming Eagles’ defense forced 21 steals. Attendance was 1,053.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — The Southern Indiana women’s basketball team turned a dominant first half into a comfortable victory, overwhelming Southeast Missouri State 77-46 in an Ohio Valley Conference game Thursday night at the Physical Activities Center. The Screaming Eagles (10-4, 2-1 OVC) seized control immediately, fueled by a relentless defensive effort that forced the visiting Redhawks into a staggering 29 turnovers. Southern Indiana converted those miscues into 39 points, effectively deciding the contest long before halftime. Ali Saunders, a 5-foot-10 guard from Depauw, Indiana, led all scorers with 27 points in just 26 minutes of action. She was efficient from all over the floor, hitting three 3-pointers and going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, including three technical foul shots in the final seconds of the first quarter. That sequence capped a period where Southern Indiana built a 24-10 lead, a margin that only grew before the break. The most important stretch of the game came in the opening quarter, where Southern Indiana’s defensive pressure set an irreversible tone. The Screaming Eagles recorded five steals in the first 10 minutes, leading to several easy transition opportunities. Southeast Missouri State committed nine turnovers in the period, from which Southern Indiana scored 12 points. This early disruption shattered the Redhawks’ offensive rhythm and allowed the Screaming Eagles to establish a double-digit lead they would never relinquish. Southern Indiana extended its lead to 46-19 by halftime, outscoring Southeast Missouri State 22-9 in the second quarter. The Screaming Eagles’ defense was the story, holding the Redhawks to just 19 first-half points on 26.1% shooting while forcing 17 turnovers before the break. The Screaming Eagles’ offensive balance complemented their defensive prowess. Sophia Loden added 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, while Chloe Gannon also chipped in 10 points. Southern Indiana shared the ball effectively, finishing with 17 assists on 21 made field goals. For Southeast Missouri State (5-9, 1-2), the struggles were comprehensive. The Redhawks shot 34.8% from the field and were outrebounded 45-28, including a 15-4 deficit on the offensive glass. Carmen Taylor led the Redhawks with 14 points, but also committed eight of her team’s 29 turnovers. Raissa Nsabua added seven points. Southern Indiana’s offensive rating of 94.3 points per 100 possessions starkly contrasted with Southeast Missouri State’s mark of 60.3, underscoring the efficiency gap created by the turnover disparity. The Screaming Eagles also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 28 of 35 attempts compared to the Redhawks’ 7-of-11 performance. The victory keeps Southern Indiana near the top of the early OVC standings, while Southeast Missouri State searches for answers after a second consecutive conference loss. The Screaming Eagles will look to maintain momentum when they host Tennessee-Martin on Saturday. Southeast Missouri State continues its road trip at Morehead State, also on Saturday.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — A surging Southern Indiana squad aims to rebound from its first conference loss when it hosts a struggling Southeast Missouri State team in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball matchup Thursday. The Screaming Eagles (9-4, 1-1 OVC) saw a four-game winning streak snapped in a 75-65 loss at Lindenwood on Saturday. They will look to regain form at the Physical Activities Center against the Redhawks (5-8, 1-1), who have lost three of their last four. Southern Indiana’s offense runs through guard Ali Saunders, who is coming off a 23-point, 4-assist performance in the loss to Lindenwood. Saunders has been a consistent scoring threat, including a 35-point outburst in a win over Morehead State on Dec. 20. Her backcourt leadership will be pivotal against a Southeast Missouri defense that allows an average of 66.2 points per game. The Redhawks, who fell 58-51 to Western Illinois last time out, rely on the all-around play of guard Raissa Nsabua. Over her last five games, Nsabua has averaged 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists while logging heavy minutes. She posted 15 points in a road loss to Tennessee Tech on Dec. 18, showcasing her scoring potential. Southern Indiana has dominated at home this season, boasting a 6-1 record in Evansville, with the lone loss coming to a powerful Tennessee team. Southeast Missouri State is 3-4 on the road. The Screaming Eagles won both meetings last season. Tipoff is set for Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The game is part of a tight early OVC schedule where both teams seek to establish momentum. Southern Indiana hosts Tennessee-Martin on Saturday, while Southeast Missouri State travels to face Morehead State.