S

On Thursday, Mar. 21, the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles made history by winning their first WNIT game with a 69-64 victory over the UIC Flames and they will look to make the Super 16 when they play host to Wisconsin on Monday night.

The Screaming Eagles finished the regular season with a 22-6 overall record and 17-1 record in OVC play, earning them the OVC Regular Season Title.

Southern Indiana would continue to roll through the OVC Tournament, beating Eastern Illinois in the semifinals 69-54 before dispatching UT Martin in the Championship Game, 81-53.

Coffee County alum Chloe Gannon has had a big role in Southern Indiana’s success.

Gannon averaged 10.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in the regular season and was in the running for OVC Freshman of the Year, however that honor went to Raegan McCowan of Western Illinois.

Gannon also made the OVC All-Tournament Team after averaging 14.5 points and five rebounds per game in the tournament.

Under normal circumstances, the Screaming Eagles would be automatic qualifiers for the NCAA Tournament, however USI is currently in the second year of a four-year transition period from Division II, meaning they won’t be eligible for the NCAA Tournament until the 2026-27 season.

Despite not making the big dance on an arguably outdated rule, the Screaming Eagles are making the most out of their WNIT invite with the win over UIC and they will get set to host the Wisconsin Badgers at Screaming Eagles Arena in Evansville, Indiana on Monday, Mar. 25 at 7:00 pm.

For those wanting to cheer on Coffee County’s Chloe Gannon and the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles, the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus.