KALAMAZOO, Mich. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball came up short, 88-74, against Western Michigan University Wednesday evening despite a late second-half rally.
The Screaming Eagles (3-6) fell behind early in the opening half, trailing 17-3 following a 17-0 run from the Broncos. USI’s struggles persisted throughout the first half, as the team was unable to score from the field in the final 5:20. The team entered the intermission with a 47-27 deficit.
Western Michigan (4-5) came out of the break firing, extending its lead to a game-high 23 points midway through the second half.
USI rallied after the under-eight timeout. Senior guard Ismail Habib hit a stepback three and a fast-break layup to close the gap. Senior guard Cardell Bailey hit a huge three-point basket that brought the Eagles within nine with under three minutes left.
The Broncos answered the Eagles’ push with one of their own. Western Michigan closed out the game on a 10-2 run, extending its lead to 14 as the final horn sounded.
For the game, USI went 23-55 from the field and 10-23 from beyond the arc. The team grabbed 33 boards compared to Western Michigan’s 41, but USI outrebounded them on the offensive end nine to five.
Bailey tied the game high with 26 points and nabbing six rebounds. Habib also crossed the 20-point mark with 23 on 4-6 from three.
Junior forward Tolu Samuels recorded a team high of 10 rebounds, three offensive, and scored three points. Junior guard Sheridan Sharp had a team-high three assists on the day.
Western Michigan was led by senior guard Jayden Brewer, who had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
Next Up For USI:
USI concludes its road swing December 7 with a visit to Indiana State University for a noon (CST) game in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Sycamores are 5-4 overall, beating Eureka College Tuesday evening 99-57.
The Eagles lead the young series, 2-1, after taking a second-straight at Liberty Arena from the Sycamores last year, 87-77. Indiana State won the meeting in Terre Haute in 2023-24, 98-54.
The next home game for USI is December 15, when the Eagles host East/West University for the start of a three-game homestand. The homestand includes the start of the Ohio Valley Conference season when USI hosts the University of Arkansas at Little Rock December 18 and Morehead State University December 20.
The Screaming Eagles (3-6) fell behind early in the opening half, trailing 17-3 following a 17-0 run from the Broncos. USI’s struggles persisted throughout the first half, as the team was unable to score from the field in the final 5:20. The team entered the intermission with a 47-27 deficit.
Western Michigan (4-5) came out of the break firing, extending its lead to a game-high 23 points midway through the second half.
USI rallied after the under-eight timeout. Senior guard Ismail Habib hit a stepback three and a fast-break layup to close the gap. Senior guard Cardell Bailey hit a huge three-point basket that brought the Eagles within nine with under three minutes left.
The Broncos answered the Eagles’ push with one of their own. Western Michigan closed out the game on a 10-2 run, extending its lead to 14 as the final horn sounded.
For the game, USI went 23-55 from the field and 10-23 from beyond the arc. The team grabbed 33 boards compared to Western Michigan’s 41, but USI outrebounded them on the offensive end nine to five.
Bailey tied the game high with 26 points and nabbing six rebounds. Habib also crossed the 20-point mark with 23 on 4-6 from three.
Junior forward Tolu Samuels recorded a team high of 10 rebounds, three offensive, and scored three points. Junior guard Sheridan Sharp had a team-high three assists on the day.
Western Michigan was led by senior guard Jayden Brewer, who had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
Next Up For USI:
USI concludes its road swing December 7 with a visit to Indiana State University for a noon (CST) game in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Sycamores are 5-4 overall, beating Eureka College Tuesday evening 99-57.
The Eagles lead the young series, 2-1, after taking a second-straight at Liberty Arena from the Sycamores last year, 87-77. Indiana State won the meeting in Terre Haute in 2023-24, 98-54.
The next home game for USI is December 15, when the Eagles host East/West University for the start of a three-game homestand. The homestand includes the start of the Ohio Valley Conference season when USI hosts the University of Arkansas at Little Rock December 18 and Morehead State University December 20.
