Wascher embraces physical play for USI women

If Hannah Wascher had a say, referees could just swallow their whistles anytime she has the ball or is guarding it.

Such a scenario felt like the case to the University of Southern Indiana senior two weekends ago in the Puerto Rico Classic. Wascher averaged a double-double with 23 points and 10.5 rebounds and was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week in a pair of Eagles’ wins.

The 5-foot-11 forward attributed the “very physical” games for her outburst.

“That’s what I like,” said Wascher, a second-team all-GLVC performer last season. “I like it to be physical and aggressive. You could get away with stuff you normally wouldn’t. I just like the hitting and pushing. That’s my brand of basketball and I tend to do better when it’s that way.”

Rick Stein, her head coach, laughed when told Wascher said that because it’s true that she won’t back down from a battle. And it could be beneficial to USI (10-1) when it hosts Ohio Dominican University (7-5) in both team’s final nonconference game of the regular season at 6 p.m. Friday at the Physical Activities Center.

The Eagles rank fourth in the country in scoring margin per game at plus-30.2. But that’s due in large part to a weak nonconference schedule. Their first 11 opponents are a combined 26-40, which ranks in the bottom 10 percent of Division II teams through play Wednesday.

Ohio Dominican is not expected to be another cake walk. The Panthers have played one of the better nonconference schedules, including a one-point, overtime loss at fourth-ranked Bellarmine on November 19.

“We’re going to see a balanced club who can push the ball,” Stein said. “Our transition defense has to be good. We can’t give run-out layups and open shots in transition because they make them. They run to make baskets and they’re good at it. We can’t let them push and get easy looks.”

The USI frontcourt depth has played a major factor this season. Stein said Wascher will get her wish of physical play against ODU. The Panthers are led inside by 6-0 senior forward Madi Rittinger, who has averaged 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

“It’s going to be a physical game,” he said. “They’re a physical team inside. Interior play is going to be important on Friday on both ends of the court.”

Wascher, who’s equaled her production from last year in five fewer minutes per game, entered the season on everyone’s radar but hasn’t always been needed to score.

“Our balance right now of inside-out play has taken some red heat off her,” Stein said. “Last year she’d be double- and triple-teamed in conference play. It’s hard to do that now because of the other weapons and balance we have.”