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HOT JOBS
USI comes up short versus UIW, falls 87-81 Screaming Eagles to play in consolation Saturday
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball’s offense cooled in the second half and fell to the University of the Incarnate Word, 87-81, in the first round of the Boardwalk Battle at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Screaming Eagles go to 1-4 in the non-conference schedule, while UIW is 3-2.
Despite being on fire through the first 20 minutes, USI led only once in the first half (2-1 on a basket by senior guard Ismail Habib) and trailed by three at the break, 41-38. The Eagles shot 57.7 percent from the field (15-26), 55.6 percent from beyond the arc (5-9), and 75 percent from the stripe (3-4).
USI trailed by as many as nine points (29-20) once in the first half but battled back with a 10-4 run in the final two minutes before halftime to trail by three. Senior guard Cardell Bailey led USI’s comeback with 13 points off the bench, including a trio of field goals beyond the three-point arc.
UIW took command in the second half with a 20-8 run in the first seven minutes to lead 61-46 with 13:14 to play. USI also would go without a field goal for seven minutes (15:25 to 8:17), managing only seven free throws to trail 67-53.
After falling behind by as many as 16 points twice, the Eagles tried to rally in the final eight minutes. USI used a 22-13 run to pull to within five points, 80-75, with 36 seconds left on the clock after Bailey converted an old-fashioned three-point play. Senior forward Ola Ajiboye led the USI run with nine of the 22 points, while Habib and Bailey added six points and five points, respectively.
The Cardinals stopped the Eagles’ offensive push by connecting on seven-of-eight trips to the free throw line in the final 36 seconds to close out the 87-81 final.
In the second half, USI fell below 50 percent from the field by shooting 42.9 percent (15-35) and was 0-of-12 from beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes. The Eagles also lost the battle on the boards, 38-27, for the contest.
For the game, Habib reached 21 points for the second-straight game to lead the USI scorers. He was eight-of-15 from the field, including a three-pointer, and a perfect four-of-four from the stripe.
Bailey and Ajiboye posted season highs with 18 points each. Bailey finished seven-of-12 from the field, three-of-seven from beyond the arc, and one-of-two from the stripe. Ajiboye was six-of-eight from the field and six-of-nine from the charity stripe.
Next Up For USI:
USI finishes out the Boardwalk Battle Saturday at 4 p.m. (CST) when it plays the loser of the University of Illinois Chicago – High Point University game. UIC and High Point play this afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
UIC is 3-1 overall after starting the year with a win and has won its last two outings. High Point is 4-1 in 2025-26, starting the year with a three-game winning streak before splitting its last two contests.
After this week’s trip to Florida, USI has a trip to Valparaiso University November 26 for a 2 p.m. tipoff and comes home to Liberty Arena to face off with Kentucky State University November 29 at 3 p.m.
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
THUNDERBOLTS HOST ICE BEARS FOR FIRST RESPONDER, TOY STORY JERSEY NIGHTS
Evansville, In.: Now on a five-game win streak following a pair of wins over the Quad City Storm, the Thunderbolts return home for a pair of games at Ford Center against the Knoxville Ice Bears on Friday and Saturday at Ford Center, the first rematches of last April’s President’s Cup Final.
Week In Review:
The Thunderbolts got off to a strong start on Friday on home ice, with early goals from Aidan Litke and Scott Kirton, along with 3 fights in the first period as Evansville grabbed a 2-0 lead. Evansville held the lead at 2-1 down the stretch, and Isaac Chapman potted a late empty net goal to seal the deal with Evansville winning 3-1. At Quad City on Saturday, the Storm led 1-0 through one period before Myles Abbate tied the game in the second period. Evansville prevailed in overtime off a goal from Litke as the Thunderbolts completed the weekend sweep. Kristian Stead was once again brilliant in goal, stopping 36 of 37 shots on Friday and 32 of 33 shots on Saturday.
The Week Ahead:
Join the Evansville Thunderbolts for First Responders Night this Friday, November 21st as we honor the everyday heroes who keep our community safe. Enjoy an action-packed night of hockey with special recognitions to all first responders. Current and former first responders will have the option to purchase $12 goal zone tickets or $17 center ice tickets for them and up to 5 people. Purchase those tickets here: bit.ly/FirstResponders25 . American Red Cross Blood Drive will be set up in the corner club at the Ford Center from 12:00-5:00. Join us for Toy Story Jersey Night this Saturday November 22nd for a fun-filled evening featuring themed games, music, and Toy Story themed jerseys inspired by the beloved movie. These jerseys will be auctioned off after the game! Bring the whole family and let your imagination take the ice—because this game’s gonna be infinity and beyond! Both games at Ford Center will begin at 7:00pm CT! For tickets, call (812)422-BOLT(2658), go to EvansvilleThunderbolts.com, or visit the Ford Center Box Office.
Governor Braun Celebrates Hoosier Entrepreneurs During Global Entrepreneurship Week
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Governor Mike Braun today recognized Global Entrepreneurship Week in Indiana by highlighting new initiatives and measurable results showing the state’s rise as one of America’s best places to start and grow a business.
Governor Mike Braun, a Main Street entrepreneur himself, created the first ever Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Indiana to support small businesses. He also launched Power Up Indiana, a new initiative that incentivizes employers to upskill, retrain, and promote their employees.
“We’re working to make Indiana the best place in the country to start and grow a business, and with the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Power Up Indiana, READI 2.0 and our new jobs-and-wages centered economic development model, we’re well on our way to achieving that goal this Global Entrepreneurship Week.” – Governor Mike Braun
Building on a Record of Results
- Indiana ranks near the top nationally in the Global Entrepreneurship Network’s state leaderboard, as do some Indiana cities: GEW Leaderboard | Global Entrepreneurship Network.
- The Indiana Small Business Development Center assisted 5,817 entrepreneurs and helped 372 new businesses launch in 2025.
- The Community Collaboration Fund invested $1 million statewide, supporting projects from Fort Wayne’s SEED/Brightpoint childcare-business accelerator to Muncie’s Innovation Connector, to the Ignition at 16Tech incubator designed to support early-stage collegiate founders, to Purdue Northwest’ s Baby-Boomer Succession Accelerator.
- The Office of Commerce’s READI 2.0 program is supporting communities across the state, and gBETA Indiana helped 30 companies raise $500,000 and created 27 new jobs this year across Main Street, agbioscience, and high-tech industries.
- Other programs supporting entrepreneurship in Indiana include STARTedUp, which cultivates entrepreneurship skills in students and has reached 13,640 Hoosier students this year, and Innovate WithIN which saw 1,854 students participating in this year’s competition, the largest high school pitch competition in the country.
Hoosier Entrepreneurship by the Numbers
- 591,000+ small businesses – 99.4% of all Indiana businesses
- 1.2 million Hoosiers (43% of the workforce) are employed by small businesses
- Indiana’s startup and small business survival rate ranks in the top 5 nationally, with 84% Indiana businesses remaining open after one year.
- Businesses under 5 years old account for 74% of new job growth
Holiday Décor Installed Ahead of Major Events
It’s officially the holiday season in Downtown Evansville! Holiday décor installations for 2025 are complete. Since 2018, the Downtown Evansville Improvement District (DEID) has activated and decorated key pedestrian corridors of Downtown for the holidays. To maximize the impact of the décor, the main decorations are installed in November and remain in place through the New Year. Decorations are funded by property owners within the DEID. Photos of the holiday décor are available at this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/NFhLZ3ckUh5oV3o38
Holiday Décor Details:
- New for 2025: Holiday Row (Riverside Drive) *sponsorship opportunities available for $250
- Honor a family member, friend, pet, celebration, or business by sponsoring a tree on Riverside Drive. Contact laura@downtownevansville.com to participate.
- Tunnel of Light (One Main St, lawn of Old National Bank)
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New for 2025: Spool of Lights (123 Main St, ONB Hub)
- Chandelier Tree (130 Main St, F.C. Tucker Emge)
- 12 ft. Nutcrackers and Lighted Archway (200 Block of Main)
- 10 ft. Christmas Tree (200 Block of Main)
- Santa’s Mailbox Presented by Edward Jones-Financial Advisors: Jessica Engel, Steve Harding, Janet Schultheis, and Jenni Vaughn (200 Block of Main)
- Letters can be dropped off in Santa’s mailbox until December 15 to ensure a response from Santa and his elves. Stationary is available to print online or at 3 stationary locations – River City Coffee + Goods, River Kitty Cat Café, and Memo. A stamp is not required.
- Decorated Fountain (300 Block of Main)
- Heart of DTEVV (400 Block of Main)
- 12 ft. Snowflake (500 Block of Main)
- Holiday Banners and Window Paintings (along Main Street and Fourth Street)
“Holiday decorations help us in our ongoing work to create a more vibrant Downton destination and result in increased activity that benefits property owners. We’re excited to see everyone create holiday memories with our décor. Tag us in your photos—we love seeing our décor featured on your annual Christmas cards and family portraits,” said Adam Trinkel, executive director, DEID.
The holiday décor installation precedes a lineup of holiday events, including Small Business Saturday on November 29 and A Downtown Christmas Presented by Engelbrecht Enterprises on Saturday, December 6.
- Small Business Saturday: Saturday, November 29 (hours vary per location)
- Downtown stores and restaurants will be open and offering holiday gifts and specials throughout the day. The event will feature free Shop Small bags (while quantities last), hot chocolate, 15+ local makers, and a Shop Small Passport with chances to win Downtown Evansville e-Gift Cards
- A Downtown Christmas Presented by Engelbrecht Enterprises: Saturday, December 6 from 11 AM – 3 PM on Main Street (2nd – 6th Street)
- The event will feature free holiday themed activities, including live reindeer encounters, pony rides, trackless train, and more.
Aces Host IU Indy for Home Opener
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team opens their regular season home schedule on Thursday evening, hosting IU Indy at Meeks Family Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 6 PM
Series History
– Thursday marks the 16th meeting all-time between Evansville and IU Indy
– IU Indy leads the all-time series 9-6
– The Aces and Raiders met in last season’s opener in Indianapolis, with the Jaguars taking a 101-76 win
– Camryn Runner scored 18 points in the game, while Kylee Norkus scored 11 in each of their collegiate debuts
Defending Home Court
– Evansville is looking to continue their success against non-conference opponents at Meeks Family Fieldhouse
– Since 2020, the Aces are 15-6 at home against non-conference opponents
– Last season, Evansville posted a perfect 4-0 record at home against non-conference competition
– Under Head Coach Robyn Scherr, the Aces have gone 12-6 in non-conference play at home
Sophomore Surge
– After scoring 6.5 points per game as a freshman in 2024-25, Logan Luebbers Palmer has taken a step forward early in her sophomore campaign
– Against Wright State on Sunday, Luebbers Palmer notched her third consecutive double-digit scoring effort with 13 points, including a 3-for-3 mark from 3-point range
– Through three games this season, Luebbers Palmer ranks second on the team with 10.5 ppg
– Luebbers Palmer has been one of the Aces’ top three-point threats, leading the team with nine three-pointers this season
BURTON URGES LAWMAKERS TO LEAVE DISTRACTIONS BEHIND AS SESSION BEGINS
INDIANAPOLIS State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) convened with lawmakers for Organization Day at the Statehouse for the ceremonial start of the 2026 legislative session. Burton reassures his commitment to addressing the real, everyday challenges facing Hoosiers. Burton was also appointed Ranking Minority Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, a position that will allow him to elevate issues related to Indiana’s natural assets.
“Organization Day is to reaffirm our responsibility to the people we serve. But over the last several months, far too much of the Statehouse’s attention has been tied up in a redistricting fight that no one in Evansville was asking to push forward. Hoosiers aren’t demanding new maps. They are telling us they’re overwhelmed by the cost of housing, utilities, child care and health care.
“We cannot afford to let any more time pass of us drifting from one crisis to the next. That means getting serious about affordability, stability and opportunity. Every Hoosier is expecting the legislature to act on their behalf.
“With my recent appointment as ranking minority member of the Natural Resources Committee, which I am humble and grateful for, will help me advocate for strong recreation and conservation policies, and environmental decisions that shape Indiana’s long-term economic well-being. Our natural resources are part of our identity and our economy. Whether it’s clean waterways, outdoor access or the health of the environment we’re leaving to the next generation, these issues deserve thoughtful, bipartisan work.
“My position hasn’t changed: keep people at the center, build consensus and deliver results to Hoosiers.”