University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball team opened the 2017-18 campaign with a 108-66 victory over Manchester University in an exhibition game Monday evening at the Physical Activities Center. USI starts the 2017-18 regular season November 3-4 in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at the Ford Center in Evansville.
The SCB Hall of Fame Classic features the Screaming Eagles against Augustana University Friday at 6 p.m. and Kentucky Wesleyan College Saturday at 6 p.m.
The first half saw USI build an impressive 52-33 lead by shooting a blistering 62.1 percent from the field (18-29). The Eagles were led during the first half run by the hot hands of junior guard Alex Stein (Evansville, Indiana) and senior guard Marcellous Washington (Lexington, Kentucky).
Stein had a team-high 18 points on five-of-seven from the field, including a three-point field goal, and seven of eight from the stripe. Washington followed Stein in the scoring column with 12 points on four-of-five from the field and four-of-four from the stripe.
In the second half, the Eagles continued to cruise as the extended the first half lead to as many as 43 points, 102-59, with 4:45 to play before settling for the 108-66 victory. USI finished the game shooting 61.9 percent from the field (39-63), 47.8 from beyond the arc (11-23), and 76.0 percent from the line (19-25).
Stein finished the game with a double-double, including a game-high 26 points and 10 assists. He finished nine-of-12 from the field, one-of-two from long range, and seven-of-eight from line.
Washington ended the exhibition game behind Stein with 17 points. Senior forward Julius Rajala (Helsinki, Finland) and freshman forward Emmanuel Little (Indianapolis, Indiana) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 16 points and 13 points, respectively.
Little also finished the game with double-double, grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds.
