University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball opens the 2015-16 home schedule with a whiteout game Wednesday when it hosts Lees-McRae College for a 7 p.m. contest. Fans are encouraged to wear white to the game in conjunction with USI’s support of the United Way’s “Live United” campaign. A white “Live United” t-shirt will be given to the first 1000 fans entering the Physical Activities Center.
Game coverage for the home opener, including live stats, audio and video, is available at gousieagles.com. The games also can be heard over the air on WEOA 98.5FM/1400AM and WPSR 90.7FM.
USI Men’s Basketball vs. Lees-McRae Quick Notes:Â
Eagles start ’15-16 with split in Vegas. USI posted a split in the D2 Vegas Showdown to start the season, defeating the University of Findlay, 88-80, before falling to Lake Superior State University, 91-73. The Eagles go to 7-3 in five trips to Las Vegas.
Stein has best freshman debut since 2001-02. Freshman guard Alex Stein‘s 17-points versus Findlay was USI’s best freshman debut since Cris Brunson scored 18 points in his first game against Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2001-02.
Top individual performances in Vegas. The Eagles had three players average in double-digit scoring with freshman guard Alex Stein leading the way with 18.0 points per contest. Stein shot 63.2 percent (12-19) from the field in the two contests. Junior guard Jeril Taylor followed with 13.0 points per game, while junior guard Bobo Drummond averaged 11.0 points per outing. Senior forward George Edwardshad USI’s top single-game total with 20 against Findlay to open the season.
The Eagles in Vegas. The Eagles shot 51.4 percent (57-111) in the D2 Vegas Showdown, 39.5 percent from long range (15-38). USI also had a two-game advantage in the rebound battle, 72-67.
USI records 30th-straight season opening win. The Eagles win over Findlay to open the 2015-16 campaign was the 30th-straight season opening victory.
Looking for #31 against Lees-McRae. USI will be looking for its 31st-straight home opening victory when it hosts Lees-McRae College. The Eagles are 40-5 all-time in home opening games.
Non-conference foes have tough going against USI. USI is 192-23 (.893) against non-GLVC teams during the last 23 seasons. Of the 23 losses, two have come in the NCAA Division II Tournament Finals and three in the NCAA II Great Lakes Regional.
USI vs. Lees-McRae USI won the only meeting with Lees-McRae, 110-69, in 2005-06. The Eagles had five players in double-figures in the win, led by Melvin Hall’s 18 points.
Lees-McRae in 2015-16. The Bobcats are 0-2 to start the year and play Kentucky Wesleyan College Tuesday before visiting the Eagles. Lees-McRae lost to Tusculum College, 78-75, and Lincoln Memorial University, 94-77, in the Conference Carolinas Challenge.
