EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball opens the 2021-22 Great Lakes Valley Conference season by hosting the University of Indianapolis Monday at Screaming Eagles Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., following the USI Women’s Basketball game at 5:30 p.m.
Game coverage information for USI Men’s Basketball, including live stats, video, and audio broadcasts, is available on GoUSIEagles.com. The games also can be heard on ESPN 97.7FM and 95.7FM The Spin.
Following the GLVC opener, USI finishes the first week of league play on the road by visiting the University of Illinois Springfield for a 7:30 p.m. match-up.
USI Men’s Basketball vs. UIndy, Illinois Springfield Quick Notes:
Eagles bounces back with OT win. USI bounced back from a loss at Cedarville University last week with a thrilling 85-80 overtime win at Kentucky Wesleyan College in the “Battle for the Bridge”. Senior guard Mateo Rivera (Indianapolis, Indiana) led USI with 16 points off the bench and was followed by junior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) dropped in 15 points.
Henry is Mr. Second Half. Sophomore guard Tyler Henry (Bronx, New York) is averaging 17.5 points per game in the last two contests, 16.0 points per game in the second half.
Swope hits for season high at KWC. Freshman guard Isaiah Swope (Newburgh, Indiana) dropped in a season-high 11 points, all in the second half, in the win at KWC. Swope also hit the game-tying bucket to send the contest to overtime.
Rivera moving into the top 30 in scoring. Senior guard Mateo Rivera moved into 31st all-time in scoring with 958 career points in the win over KWC. Rivera is three points behind number 30 Lawrence Thomas (961); seven points behind number 29 Andre Jackson (965); eight behind number 28; and nine points behind number 27 and a tie with Scott Taylor and Ryan Kelley (967).
Eagles ranked 17th in top 25. USI is ranked 17th in the second D2SIDA Top 25 poll released November 23. The Eagles also received votes for the NABC Division II Top 25 in the first poll that was released last week.
USI vs. UIndy. The Eagles hold a 59-25 all-time series lead over the Greyhounds of the University of Indianapolis, dating back to the 1972-73 season. USI won last season’s match-up 80-75 at Screaming Eagles Arena and five of the last five match-ups.
UIndy in 2021-22. UIndy is 3-2 to start the 2021-22 campaign after completing a sweep in the UIndy Thanksgiving Classic Tuesday and Wednesday. The Greyhounds posted a 90-41 win over Ohio Valley University Tuesday and a 91-85 win versus Northwood University Wednesday afternoon.
USI vs. Illinois Springfield. USI has a 14-4 all-time series lead over the University of Illinois Springfield, including the last four and eight of the last 10 games. The Eagles won the only meeting in 2020-21, 88-69, in Springfield, while the second scheduled contest was cancelled due to COVID.
Illinois Springfield in 2021-22. The Prairie Stars are 2-3 in the first month of November, winning two of their last three before the start of GLVC play. Prior to Thanksgiving, Illinois Springfield lost to Northwood University, 79-71, and defeated Ohio Valley University, 94-57, in the UIndy Thanksgiving Classic. The Stars host McKendree University Monday before entertaining USI on Thursday.
