University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball restarts Great Lakes Valley Conference action Sunday when it visits McKendree University to start the 2022 portion of the schedule. Tip-off of the USI-McKendree showdown in Lebanon, Illinois, Sunday is set for 3 p.m.
Following USI’s visit to McKendree, the Screaming Eagles travel to Lewis University January 4 and Lindenwood University for a pair of 7:30 p.m. match-ups. USI returns to the friendly surroundings of Screaming Eagles Arena January 8 when it hosts Southwest Baptist for a 3:15 p.m. tipoff.
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.
USI Men’s Basketball vs. McKendree, Lewis Quick Notes:
Eagles makes it 4-straight with win over #22/#24 GVSU. USI completed its non-conference schedule with a 68-63 win at #22/#24 Grand Valley State University. Junior guard Jelani Simmons led the way with 21 points, while senior guard Mateo Rivera followed with 18 points. Junior forward Jacob Polakovich rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points and completed a double-double with 10 rebounds.
1,000 points for Rivera. Senior guard Mateo Rivera became the 22nd Eagle to reach the 1,000-point milestone after posting his season-high 18 points versus GVSU. He also moved into 22nd all-time at USI in scoring. Rivera also tied a season-best with eight rebounds in the win.
Simmons hits for USI highs. Junior guard Jelani Simmons posted his season-best 21 points in the win over GVSU, including 14 first half points. He also tied a collegiate career-high with four assists.
Polakovich gets his 3rd double-double. Junior forward Jacob Polakovich posted his third double-double of the season with his 12 points and 10 rebounds versus GVSU.
Simmons takes over the team lead in scoring. Junior guard Jelani Simmons leads the way for the Eagles in scoring with 12.4 points per game. Junior forward Jacob Polakovich follows with 11.6 points per game and a team-best 9.0 rebounds per contest.
USI vs. McKendree. USI leads the all-time series with McKendree, 14-8 overall and 12-2 in GLVC action. The Eagles took last year’s only meeting, 81-70, at Screaming Eagles Arena and has won nine of the last 10 match-ups.
McKendree in 2021-22. McKendree, 5-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play, finished the 2021 half of the season with a 5-2 record after a pair of games in the Quincy University’s Hansen-Spears Funeral Home Classic were cancelled due to COVID.
USI vs. Lewis. The Eagles lead the all-time series with the Flyers, 50-27 overall and 40-27 in GLVC action. USI took last season’s regular contest on the road, 74-65, and the NCAA II Midwest Regional game at the Ford Center, 62-60.
Lewis in 2021-22. Lewis saw its record go to 4-5 overall after posting a 90-85 win over #16 Ferris State University this evening in Romeoville, Illinois. The Flyers, 2-0 in GLVC action this season, finishes the 2021 calendar by hosting East/West University December 29 and restarts league play versus the University of Illinois Springfield January 2 in Romeoville.
