Eagles host Home for the Holidays game Tuesday

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball returns to action Tuesday at Screaming Eagles Arena when it hosts the University of Saint Francis (Illinois) for the Home for the Holidays Red Out Night. Fans are encouraged to wear the color of the season for the 7 p.m. tip off.
 
Fans can follow all of the action on the ESPN+ or ESPN 97.7FM (http://listentotheref.com).
 
USI, which is 2-9, is looking to get back into the win column after being idle for the last week for semester final exams. The Screaming Eagles also are looking to bounce back after a hard loss to Indiana State University December 9 in Terre Haute, Indiana.
 
Through the first 11 games of this season, junior guard Jeremiah Hernandez (Chicago, Illinois) and sophomore guard/forward AJ Smith (Edwardsville, Illinois) lead USI in scoring with 13.2 points and10.9 points per game, respectively. Smith also leads the team with 9.5 rebounds per contest.
 
The Fighting Saints are 2-5 in 2023-24 and have lost their last three regular season games. Saint Francis also lost an exhibition game at Lewis University, 69-57, Thursday evening in Romeoville, Illinois. Tuesday’s game will be the first-ever meeting between USI and Saint Francis in men’s basketball.
 
Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by visiting the USI Ticket Office on-line. For more information, call the USI Ticket Office at 812-465-1189.
 
Following the USI-Saint Francis contest, the Eagles conclude the 2023-24 non-conference slate with a visit to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, December 22. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Banterra Center.
 
SIU is 6-3 this season after suffering a 70-68 loss to Austin Peay State University at home December 12. The Salukis, who are .500 over their last six games, will visit Wichita State University Saturday and host North Dakota State University Tuesday before welcoming USI.
 
USI won last year’s meeting at Screaming Eagles Arena, 71-53, for the Eagles’ first NCAA Division I win. SIU leads the all-time series with USI, 3-1, dating back to 1981.