EVANSVILLE, Ind. | Tanner Marcum scored 21 points to lead the University of Southern Indiana to an 81-48 women's basketball victory over Young Harris College Saturday (Nov. 26) afternoon at the PAC on the first day of the USI Thanksgiving Classic.

The Screaming Eagles improved to 5-0, while the Mountain Lions fell to 2-2. Young Harris has a quick turnaround as they face No. 8 Bellarmine University in a noon Central time contest Sunday (Nov. 27) on the final day of the Classic.

The Eagles led 23-16 after the first quarter and broke open the game in the second quarter as they limited Young Harris to two field goals as they opened up a 44-21 led at the half. Marcum scored 11 of her points in the second quarter for the Eagles.

"Give Southern Indiana credit, they were tougher and made their open shots," said YHC head coach Matt Stearsman. "Sometimes that happens, we got punched in the mouth in the first half and we didn't respond very well. They made shots and they rebounded the ones they didn't make. We are better than we played today and they had a lot to do with how we played. I think we will respond and be better tomorrow."

Southern Indiana held a 47-38 edge in rebounds and scored 31 points off 26 Young Harris turnovers.

Meredith Tarver led the Mountain Lions with 15 points and seven rebounds before fouling out, while Tamiera Mobley added 11 points. Jenny Vernet pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds. Sara Jorgensen added eight points while Bria Ratliff had seven.

Kaydie Grooms added 11 points for the Eagles.