EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball (1-0) open the regular season in fashion by defeating Oakland City University (1-4), 76-56, Thursday at Screaming Eagles Arena. The Screaming Eagles have defeated the Mighty Oaks in nine straight meetings dating back to 2000.
The Oaks quickly jumped ahead in the first three minutes outscoring the Eagles, 10-3, after back-to-back three-point baskets. USI made quick work and took the lead for the first time, 13-12, with 12:05 remaining in the opening half. The Eagles burst out in the second portion of the first half going on a 16-0 run to make it a 13-point lead.
Senior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) and freshman guard Elijah Jones (Chicago Heights, Illinois) posted seven points each in the opening frame to lead the team in scoring. Senior guard Trevell Cunningham (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and freshman guard Isaiah Stafford (Bolingbrook, Illinois) contributed five points each while junior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) grabbed a team-high eight first half rebounds. The Eagles ended the opening frame on a 9-0 run to make it a 36-20 lead going into the half.
USI’s offense was able to shoot 40% from the field, just under 43% from beyond the arc, and 62.5% at the line to open the game. The Eagles’ defense held their ground and kept the Oaks’ field goal percentage to 21% while forcing nine turnovers. Both sides battled the boards in the first frame, but USI won the rebounding battle, 26-23.
Simmons came out in the second half nailing back-to-back buckets to give USI a 20-point advantage before the Oaks turned around and added a quick three-points to change the pace. The Eagles returned the favor posting a 9-0 run with 13:48 to play that included a banked-in three-pointer by Stafford to extend USI’s lead to 51-28.
Oakland City went on a 6-0 run with 2:13 remaining but it was not enough as the Eagles closed out the 20-point victory. Jones led USI in scoring with 12 points while adding eight rebounds to the stat sheet. Simmons and Stafford posted 11 points each while junior guard Myles Belyeu (Mason, Ohio) attributed 10 points, respectfully. Polakovich grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds helping USI collect a team total of 53 boards.
The Eagles’ offense finished the night shooting just above 39% from the field, a little over 29%Â from downtown, and an even 60% from the free throw line. USI also had 10 blocks and only turned the ball over nine times. The Eagles’ defense forced 15 turnovers and held the Oaks to a 28% shooting clip.
COMING UP FOR USI:
USI hits the road for the first time in 2021-22 next week with visits to Cedarville University Monday in Cedarville, Ohio, and Kentucky Wesleyan College November 24 in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Cedarville started the season 0-2 after falling to No. Truman State University, 80-87, and Quincy University, 77-88, in the Quincy University Midwest Crossover last weekend. The Yellow Jackets recorded their first win of the young season after defeating the University of Indianapolis, 73-64, Thursday night. Cedarville will finish the road trip at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, Saturday before hosting USI for their home opener.
The USI-Cedarville matchup on Monday is the first meeting between the two programs in men’s basketball.
Kentucky Wesleyan is 2-1 after defeating the University of Illinois Springfield, 84-76, and falling to Lindenwood University, 78-83, last weekend in St. Charles, Missouri. The Panthers collected another victory after defeating Midway University, 72-48, in its home opener Tuesday. The Panthers host East/West University Saturday before hosting the USI Wednesday.
USI trails in the all-time series with KWC, 49-43, but has won the last seven-straight against the Panthers. The Eagles, who have won the last three at the Owensboro Sports Center, defeated the Panthers, 82-63, to open Screaming Eagles Arena in 2019.
