Simmons Named OVC Player Of The Week Eagles Visit Notre Dame On Wednesday

Eagles Visit Notre Dame On Wednesday

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – the University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball senior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week for his efforts in the Screaming Eagles’ loss at the University of Missouri and win at home over Southern Illinois University. The weekly honor is the first for Simmons from the OVC and in his career.
 
The senior guard started his week with a 23-point performance in the 97-91 loss at Missouri, scoring 17 of the points in the second half on a perfect six-of-six from the field, five-of-five from beyond the arc. He completed the week by leading USI to a 71-53 win over SIU with 18 points.
 
For the week, Simmons averaged 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 block, and 1.0 steals per game. He also shot 59.3 percent from the field (16-27) and 53.8 percent from long range (7-13).
 
USI returns to the road this week when it travels to South Bend, Indiana, to play the University of Notre Dame Wednesday and start action a series of three games that are a part of the Gotham Classic. In addition to the visit to Notre Dame, USI will visit St. Bonaventure University November 22 and Bowling Green State University November 26 as a part of the classic.
 
The game will be streaming on ACC+ and ESPN+ in addition to being heard on ESPN 97.7FM (http://listentotheref.com) and 95.7FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com).
 
The Eagles are 1-1 to start the season and are indicating that they are a second half team. USI has won each of the second halves by a combined 103-77, while being outscored in the first half, 73-69. The squad also is shooting 72.0 percent from beyond the three-point arc (18-25) in the second half of the first two games.
 
Simmons leads four players in double-digits for the Eagles to start the year. Graduate forward Trevor Lakes (Lebanon, Indiana), sophomore guard Isaiah Swope (Newburgh, Indiana), and junior guard Tyler Henry (Brooklyn, New York) follow Simmons with 12 points per game each.
 
Notre Dame is 2-0 to open the 2022-23 season after posting wins over Radford University, 79-76, and Youngstown State University, 88-81. The Fighting Irish, which have only played eight players in the first two games, is led by forward Nate Laszewski with 21.0 points and 11 rebounds per game. Guard Trey Wertz follows in the scoring column with 16.5 points per outing.
 
Following USI’s visit to South Bend, USI returns to the friendly surroundings of the Screaming Eagles Arena to host Loras College Friday at 7 p.m.