WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball could not sustain a strong start to its final exhibition game of the 2019-20 preseason as the Screaming Eagles fell to host Purdue University, 62-44, Sunday, Nov. 3 at Mackey Arena.

USI, which used a transition layup to put the first points on the scoreboard for the second-consecutive game, led 7-2 early in the contest and 10-8 following freshman forward Hannah Haithcock’s second three-pointer of the first quarter.

Purdue, however, surged in front with an 8-2 run to take a 16-12 advantage into the second quarter; then broke away with a 12-0 run toward the end of the opening half to take a 35-23 lead into the intermission.

The Boilermakers kept the momentum going with 6-0 run to open the second half and extend their lead to 18 points early in the third quarter.

USI rallied with a 5-2 spurt to get back to within 15 points, but a 10-2 Purdue surge staked the Boilermakers to a 53-30 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest.

The Eagles performed well in the fourth quarter, outscoring Purdue 14-9 in the final frame. USI did a good job of getting to the free throw line and creating turnovers in the final 10 minutes as it went 8-of-8 from the line and forced Purdue into nine turnovers.

Senior guard Ashley Johnson led the Eagles with 11 points, while Haithcock added 10 points. Junior center Audrey Turner chipped in five points and a team-high tying four rebounds.

Purdue dominated the paint with a 47-26 rebounding advantage and a 40-18 edge in points in the paint.

USI opens the 2019-20 regular season November 13 at 7 p.m. when it hosts No. 11 University of Central Missouri in the first-ever regular-season collegiate basketball game at Screaming Eagles Arena.

Editor’s note: Hannah Haithcock is a 2019 graduate of Washington High School.