Eagles get defensive and back on track

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball used a strong defensive performance to defeat the University of Illinois Springfield, 66-39, Thursday evening in Screaming Eagles Arena. USI goes to 8-4 overall and 3-3 in the GLVC, while Illinois Springfield, which had its seven-game winning streak snapped, is 9-7 overall, 4-4 in the league.
 
The Screaming Eagles’ defense was near perfect for the first 7:09 as they built a 12-0 lead with 12:51 left in the opening half. Junior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio), who had 11 first half points, led the way during the opening run with seven of the 12 points.
 
Illinois Springfield, briefly, got its footing offensively and cut the deficit to 14-11 before USI exploded on a 15-2 run that built a 29-13 lead in the final eight minutes before the intermission.
 
USI’s defense starred once again during the 15-2 runs, holding to the Prairie Stars to no field goals and two free throws in building the 16-point halftime lead. The Eagles’ defense also held the Prairie Stars to a season-best 14.3 percent from the field in the first half (4-28).
 
In the second half, USI continued to put the defensive pressure on Illinois Springfield, holding the Stars to eight second half field goals and a 38.1 field goal percentage. The Eagles also finished the game with a dominating 49-25 lead on the glass.
 
Offensively in the final 20 minutes, the Eagles extended the halftime margin to as many as 31 points (60-29) with 8:56 to play. USI put the game on cruise control at that point and settled for the 66-39 victory.
 
Simmons added nine second half points and finished with a game-high 20 points. He was nine-of-15 from the field and two-of-six from the line, while grabbing six rebounds and dishing three assists.
 
Junior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) remained hot, posting his sixth double-double of the season with 16 points and 16 a career-high rebounds. Polakovich was five-of-nine from the field and six-of-10 from the line, while grabbing six offensive and 10 defensive rebounds.
 
Freshman guard Isaiah Stafford (Bolingbrook, Illinois) rounded out the USI double-digit scorers with 12 points on six-of-nine from the field. The 12 points was a season-best for the freshman guard.
 
COMING UP FOR USI:
USI conclude the three-game homestand Saturday when it hosts Lewis University for the annual Hoops for Troops Military Appreciation Game Saturday at 3:15 p.m. Veterans or active duty personnel can receive up to five free tickets with proof of service. The first 250 fans will receive a gift to commemorate the day when they enter Screaming Eagles Arena.   
 
Lewis watched its record go to 6-5 overall and 4-0 in the GLVC after posting a 70-69 win at the University of Indianapolis this evening. The Flyers come to Screaming Eagles Arena on a six-game winning streak.  
 
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.
 
USI SCHEDULE CHANGES:
The USI-Lindenwood University game, which was originally slated for January 6, has been rescheduled for January 31 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Charles, Missouri.
 
Rescheduling for the USI road games at Lewis University and the University of Indianapolis that were slated for January 4 and January 15, respectively, are still to be determined.