EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 10th-ranked University of Southern Indiana men’s basketball team travels to the northern hub of the Great Lakes Valley Conference when it visits the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Thursday and Lewis University Saturday. Tip-off Thursday against UW-Parkside in Somers, Wisconsin, is 7:30 p.m., while the start time Saturday at Lewis in Romeoville, Illinois, is slated for 3 p.m.
The Screaming Eagles (13-2, 6-1 GLVC) are flying high after starting the three-game road swing with a 72-53 victory over fourth-ranked Kentucky Wesleyan College Monday night. The Eagles 19-point win was the widest margin of victory over the Panthers in the Sportscenter.
With the win over top-five KWC and the University of Indianapolis last Saturday, USI rose five spots to 10th in the NABC/Division II Top 25 and back into the top-10 for the third time this season. The Eagles were joined in the national poll by KWC (third), Bellarmine University (eighth), and UIndy (11th). (The January 22 rankings do not include Monday’s results.)
Junior forward Orlando Rutledge (Louisville, Kentucky) led USI to the victory at KWC with 14 points and leads the squad through 15 games with 15.5 points per contest. Rutledge also leads the Eagles in road games with 14.0 points per game.
Following Rutledge in the scoring column is junior forward Aaron Nelson (Chicago Heights, Illinois) and senior center Keith DeWitt (High Point, North Carolina) with 11.9 and 11.6 points per appearance, respectively. DeWitt also leads USI in rebounding with 8.9 boards per game, while Nelson is grabbing 7.9 rebounds per outing.
The Rangers of UW-Parkside (10-5, 5-2 GLVC) started strong this year, winning nine of the first 12 games, but have struggled in the last three games, losing twice. UW-Parkside lost to Lewis University Monday night at home, 77-74, to start its week.
USI leads the all-time series with UW-Parkside, 26-7, after sweeping both games of the series last year. The Eagles also lead the series in Somers, Wisconsin, 7-2, since 2000.
The Flyers of Lewis (10-5, 4-3 GLVC) were 6-2 through their first eight games before going 4-3 in GLVC action. Lewis split last weekend, losing at Bellarmine University and defeating McKendree University, before starting this week with the win at UW-Parkside.
USI holds a 40-21 advantage in the all-time series with Lewis. The Eagles also have won 17 of the last 23 meetings and has a 5-4 lead in Romeoville, Illinois, since 2000.
Coverage of the Eagles’ GLVC games, including live stats and audio/video broadcasts, is available at gousieagles.com. The USI action also can be heard on ESPN 106.7FM and WPSR 90.7FM.
NABC/Division II Top 25
1. Metropolitan State
2. Western Washington
3. Kentucky Wesleyan
4. West Liberty
5. Seattle Pacific
6. Cal Poly Pomona
7. Minnesota State
8. Bellarmine
9. Indiana
10. Southern Indiana
11. Indianapolis
12. Lincoln Memorial
13. Alabama-Huntsville
14. Florida Southern
15. Barton
16. Assumption
17. Rollins
18. Adams State
19. Winston-Salem State
20. Fort Lewis
21. Newman
22. Wayne State
23. Charleston
24. Washburn
25. Winona State
Source: GoUSIEagles.com