Second-year women’s basketball coach Tara Tansil and her staff learned a few things about the Skyhawks in Tampa, Fla. as the team competed in the Image Depot Shootout hosted by the University of South Florida.

The Skyhawks suffered a 72-55 setback in the opener to LaSalle and then lost the second game to the University of South Florida (USF) 78-44.

LaSalle built a 13-point halftime lead, 36-23, but the Skyhawks battled back in the second half and were only outscored by four points.

LaSalle’s Crista Ricketts scored 26 points, while Carlene Hightower scored 14 points. Shaune McLaughlin dished out 14 assists.

Juniors Andreika Jackson and Deina Willingham led the Skyhawks with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

The Skyhawks also lost the battle on the boards. LaSalle out-rebounded the Skyhawks, 37-30.

“We didn’t shoot well against LaSalle, and we had a tough time stopping their all-conference post player (Ricketts),” Tansil said.

Against USF, the Skyhawks turned in a stellar defensive performance in the first half, but countered with a dismal shooting percentage in the second half (19 percent) from the field. “We played hard for 15 minutes, and it was our best defensive effort so far,” Tansil said. “We learned what we were capable of defensively in this game.”

Offensively, the Skyhawks struggled. Along with a horrific 19 percent effort from the field, the Skyhawks struggled with turnovers, committing 23 in the game.

Willingham led the Skyhawks with 15 points, while Jackson tossed in 13 points.

Willingham, Jackson and senior Keva Robinson had six rebounds each.

On a more positive note, the Skyhawks picked up a victory against Kentucky Wesleyan in their home opener.

Willingham led three Skyhawk double-digit scorers with 17 points in the 75-63 victory over the Lady Panthers at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.

Jackson recorded her first double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while newcomer Kimberly Cox, a junior college transfer from East Central Community College in Mississippi, netted 15 points and three three-pointers.

“I was pleased with the way we shot the ball from the field and I was extremely pleased with our rebounding effort,” Tanisl said.

The Skyhawks shot 53 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.

The Skyhawks also out-rebound KWC 40-25. Jackson led the effort with 11 rebounds, while Willingham and sophomore Crystal Fuller pulled down seven rebounds each.

Kentucky Wesleyan also had a trio of players with double-digit points. Lauren Stewart led the way with 19 points.

The Skyhawks trailed, 14-10, with 13:24 to play in the first half, but rallied with a 20-6 run to claim a 32-21 advantage at the half.

Kentucky Wesleyan cut the Skyhawk lead to five points, 64-59, with 2:35 to play in the game when Stewart drained a three-pointer.

The Skyhawks return to action Dec. 1 when they travels to Richmond, Ky. to open their OVC slate against Eastern Kentucky.