EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — A surging Southern Indiana squad looks to continue its climb in the Ohio Valley Conference standings when it hosts struggling Tennessee State in a women’s basketball matchup on Thursday, Feb. 12. The Screaming Eagles (16-7, 8-2 OVC) enter the contest at the Physical Activities Center riding momentum from a dominant 90-57 road victory over Southeast Missouri State last Saturday. They sit near the top of the conference, bolstered by a balanced attack and the standout play of guard Ali Saunders. Saunders averages 18.2 points per game in conference play and torched Tennessee State for 29 points in the teams’ first meeting, a 72-67 Southern Indiana win on Jan. 17. Tennessee State (4-19, 2-8) seeks to build on its best performance of the season, an 87-77 home win over Western Illinois last Saturday that snapped a five-game skid. The Tigers were led in that victory by a career-high 24 points from sophomore guard Aaniya Webb, who added six rebounds and three assists. Webb’s emergence provides a bright spot for a team that has struggled to find consistent offense, averaging just 58.2 points per game. Southern Indiana’s formula has relied on defensive pressure and efficient scoring, holding OVC opponents to 60.9 points per game. Beyond Saunders, forward Amiyah Buchanan provides a strong interior presence, coming off a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double last time out. The Tigers will need another high-level performance from Webb and support from contributors like Kiki Roberts (15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists vs. Western Illinois) to challenge the Screaming Eagles on the road. Southern Indiana won the prior matchup this season by overcoming a 10-point halftime deficit, a rally Tennessee State is eager to avenge. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. CST at the Physical Activities Center. Southern Indiana will host Tennessee Tech on Saturday, while Tennessee State travels to face Morehead State.