EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball hopes to get back on track this week as it wraps up a three-game homestand by hosting the University of Illinois Springfield Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Lewis University Saturday at 3:15 p.m. The USI-Lewis contest is Military Appreciation Day, which is sponsored by American Legion Post 324 and the USI Student Veteran Association.
Veterans and their guests will receive free tickets with proof of service (limit to five per veteran).
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. UIS, Lewis Quick Notes:
USI starts homestand with loss. USI stumbled in the opener of a three-game homestand, falling to McKendree University, 77-71, despite having a double-digit first half lead. Freshman guard Isaiah Swope (Newburgh, Indiana) and sophomore guard Tyler Henry (Brooklyn, New York) had a team-high 19 points each, while junior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
USI may reschedule GLVC road games. The three USI road games that were canceled due to COVID may be rescheduled according to the GLVC. The Eagles road games at Lewis University, Lindenwood University, and the University of Indianapolis could potentially be re-added to the slate for January.
Swope posts second-straight season-high. Freshman guard Isaiah Swope posted a second-straight season high with 19 points in the loss to McKendree.
Polakovich doubling up. Junior forward Jacob Polakovich has recorded five double-doubles in the last seven games. The junior forward is averaging 15.4 points and 10.7 rebounds over the last seven contest. Polakovich, the GLVC leader in rebounding, also has defended the USI glass with 8.3 defensive boards per contest.
Three in double-digits in scoring. Junior forward Jacob Polakovich leads the team with 12.3 points per game and a team-best 9.5 rebounds per contest, while junior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) is posting 11.4 points per game. Sophomore guard Tyler Henry rounds out the double-digit scorers with 11.1 points per game.
USI vs. Illinois Springfield. USI has a 15-4 all-time series lead over the University of Illinois Springfield, including the last five and nine of the last 11 games. The Eagles won opening match-up of 2021-22, 64-52, in Springfield. USI junior forward Jacob Polakovich led the way with 28 points and 12 rebounds.
Illinois Springfield in 2021-22. Illinois Springfield went to 9-6 overall and 4-3 in the GLVC after posting a 79-71win in overtime versus Maryville University Monday afternoon. The Prairie Stars have won seven-straight since December.
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 is 5-5 overall and 3-0 in the GLVC with a win 76-68 win over Lindenwood University Monday night. The Flyers, who have won five-straight, play the University of Indianapolis Thursday before coming to Screaming Eagles Arena.
