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USI Swimming: Bunnell’s historic zone cut performance highlights day among three school records

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Chicago, Ill.– University of Southern Indiana Men’s and Women’s Diving shattered three school records and recorded six personal bests at the University of Illinois-Chicago on Saturday afternoon in the regular season finale.

The day was highlighted by freshman Anna Bunnell becoming the first ever Screaming Eagle to achieve a NCAA Zone Cut score with another monstrous one-meter performance (266.30 pts).

USI Men
Junior leader Lane Pollock finally surpassed his previous one-meter school record from the beginning of the season against Valparaiso University of 273.38 pts. The Boonville native improved his own record by 14 points on Saturday as it all came together (287.50 pts). The junior is only 12.5 points shy of the one-meter zone cut.

Sophomore Nathan Deputy followed behind in the one-meter event (258.90 pts). Freshman Lucas Herbst also recorded a personal best in the event (221.65 pts).

Moving over the three-meter event, Deputy had another respectable performance (279.05 pts), placing fourth among the field. Pollock trailed behind Deputy in sixth (242.85 pts).

USI Women
The women are clearly geared up for Summit League Championships, recording two school records and four personal best performances. Bunnell’s one-meter performance surpasses the NCAA qualifying score of 265, making her the first Eagle to accomplish this feat. Despite qualifying, Bunnell will not be able to compete in the NCAA Championships due to USI’s current transition process. However, the Evansville native is only a freshman and will be a force for many years to come for the Eagles.

The freshman’s one-meter school record was a huge 26-point improvement from her previous record, placing second in the event among stiff competition. Bunnell followed up the performance with another big improvement of 12 points in the three-meter, shattering the school record (253 pts).

Freshman Gabbie Meier and Maranda Uttke also made monumental jumps today, recording personal best scores. Meier improved her personal best three-meter score by 14 points, finishing right behind Bunnell (246 pts). Uttke showed us last meet, her best performances were coming at the end of the season with a season best three-meter score (217.43 pts) against EIU. The sophomore took her game to the next level with a personal best three-meter score on Saturday (239.25 pts).

Up Next
USI will continue to train with next weekend off competition for the season culmination of the Summit League Championships on February 19-22. All seven conference foes meet this year in Iowa City on University of Iowa’s campus at the campus recreation and wellness center. Be sure to check out all the available Summit League Championship information at the conference’s website along with the links on both swimming and diving schedules.

Eagles come up short in competitive final day at Hawai’i

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Eagles come up short in competitive final day at Hawai’i

HONOLULU – University of Southern Indiana Softball came up short in two competitive ballgames on the final day of the Hawai’i Paradise Classic on Saturday, as the Screaming Eagles fell 6-0 against host University of Hawai’i and 2-1 against Saint Louis University.

The first four innings went scoreless in the first game against Hawai’i (4-0), as the starting pitchers limited the offenses and their ability to string together any hits. On Southern Indiana’s (1-4) side, freshman pitcher Kylie Witthaus made her first career start and impressed in the early going.

The Eagles had an opportunity to score with a runner at third and one out in the top of the fifth but could not scratch across the run. The Rainbow Wahine took advantage in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two runs on a pair of RBI singles to take a 2-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Witthaus continued to pitch well but ran into some adversity after taking a lined single off the hand in the top of the sixth. Momentum then shifted in Hawai’i’s favor, leading to four more runs and a 6-0 final score.

Senior Josie Newman and sophomore infielder Sydney Long accounted for USI’s two hits in the game. Witthaus (0-1) was charged with the loss, going 5.1 innings with four strikeouts and five runs allowed.

Hawai’i tallied six runs on six hits. Sophomore pitcher Macy Brandl picked up her second win with the two-hit shutout and six strikeouts.

In the second game of the day against Saint Louis (2-3), Southern Indiana struck first with three consecutive singles. An RBI knock from senior outfielder Kennedy Nalley scored Long and gave USI a 1-0 lead.

Newman toed the pitching rubber in the second game for the Eagles and took control early. The right-hander did not allow a hit until the third inning and totaled nine strikeouts through three innings. Following Newman’s 10th strikeout in the bottom of the fourth inning, Saint Louis tied the game at one in the next at-bat on a solo home run.

The Billikens scored once more and what proved to be the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth inning when a leadoff walk came around to score later in the inning on a wild pitch.

Despite getting leadoff singles in the sixth and seventh innings, the Screaming Eagles could not push across another run. The final out of the game was a highlight diving catch on a hit that threatened the right-center gap and possibly could have scored USI’s leadoff baserunner if the ball had found the green grass in the alley.

Southern Indiana registered its one run on six hits. Junior outfielder Caroline Stapleton had two hits from the leadoff spot. Newman (1-2) took the hard-luck loss after striking out 14 and giving up just two runs on two hits in a complete six innings.

Saint Louis’ senior pitcher Taylor Hochman was credited with her second win after allowing one run with five strikeouts in a complete-game effort.

Next, the Screaming Eagles will travel back to Southern Indiana and turn their focus closer to home next weekend. USI will play at the University of Evansville Softball Classic next Saturday and Sunday. Information and game times can be found at usiscreamingeagles.com.

USI runs out of time in falling to SEMO, 79-74

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USI runs out of time in falling to SEMO, 79-74

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball concluded a three-game homestand with a heartbreaking 79-74 Homecoming loss to Southeast Missouri State University Saturday evening at Liberty Arena. The Screaming Eagles are 9-15 overall and 4-10 in OVC action, while the Redhawks go to 15-10, 10-4 OVC.

USI spotted SEMO a 5-0 lead before going to work on the offensive end with a 15-4 run to lead with 13:57 remaining in the opening half, 15-9. Junior guards Jayland Randall and Damoni Harrison propelled the run by combining for 10 of the 15 points with six points and four points, respectively.

The Redhawks responded with an 8-2 run of their own to close the gap within two minutes and even the score at 17-17. The score would bounce back and forth for the next four minutes before SEMO took a three-point advantage, 24-21, at the under-eight time out.

USI would rally and regain the lead, 29-27, with 3:55 on the clock when sophomore forward Stephen Olowoniyi threw down a thunderous dunk. SEMO tied the score for the third time, 29-29, but it was short-lived as Harrison gave USI a three-point lead, 32-29, with a long-range bomb from the right corner.

The Harrison three-pointer would spark USI’s run to the break and halftime lead, 36-35. Harrison led the Eagles with 13 points, while Randall and Olowoniyi had 10 points each.

In the second half, the margin between the two teams never grew to more than six points (USI 49-43), while the half featured five ties and 13 lead changes. The outcome would come down to the final two minutes when SEMO scored five of the final nine points for the 79-74 decision.

In the scoring column, Harrison led three Eagles in double-digits with 25 points. He was nine-of-13 from the field, three-of-four from long range, and four-of-six from the stripe.

Randall followed with 23 points on seven-of-16 from the field, three-of-six from beyond the arc, and six-of-seven from the stripe. The 23 points were one short of a career-best for Randall.

Olowoniyi rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14 points on seven-of-11 from the field and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. The double-double was Olowoniyi’s team-best fourth of the season.

Next Up For USI:
USI hits the road next week with visits to Western Illinois University Thursday and Lindenwood University February 15. Game time is 7:30 p.m. versus WIU in Macomb, Illinois, and 2 p.m. versus Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.

The start time for the USI-Lindenwood men’s basketball game has been moved to 2 p.m. after the women’s game was moved to 11 a.m. due to being on ESPNU.

WIU is 8-17 overall and 2-12 in the OVC, after today’s 80-71 loss at the University of Tennessee at Martin and is on a 10-game losing streak that included a loss at USI in January. WIU has not won since January 9.

WIU leads the all-time series, 5-2, after USI won at Liberty Arena in January, 78-66. Harrison led four Eagles in double digits with 26 points. Graduate forward Jack Mielke followed with 17 points and a team-high 11 rebounds for his first career double-double. Randall and Olowniyi rounded out the top four with 12 points and 11 points, respectively.

The Lions of Lindenwood are 11-14 overall and 6-8 in the OVC after finishing the weekend with an 84-76 loss at Tennessee State University. Lindenwood, which hosts Morehead State University Thursday before the showdown with USI, is 2-3 in the last five games, .500 over the last 10 contests.

The Eagles lead the all-time series, 8-1, after taking the first meeting of the year in January, 80-73. Harrison led three Eagles in double-digits with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Harrison was followed by Randall, who had 17 points, and Mielke, who had 10 points.

USI has one more regular season homestand left in 2024-25. The Eagles are slated to host Eastern Illinois University February 20 and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville February 22 for Senior Night. Both games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. starts.

Tickets for all USI home dates are on sale now at USIScreamingEagles.com.

KIRTON AND CHAPMAN CONNECT TWICE IN 6-3 LOSS AT PEORIA

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KIRTON AND CHAPMAN CONNECT TWICE IN 6-3 LOSS AT PEORIA
 
Peoria, Ill.:  Rookie Isaac Chapman and veteran Scott Kirton showed promise as a duo, setting up each other for a goal apiece, however the Thunderbolts in the end fell short by a 6-3 score on Saturday night in Peoria.  The Thunderbolts’ next home game will be on Friday, February 14th against the Quad City Storm at 7:05pm CT.
                After falling behind 1-0, Chapman and Kirton connected to tie the game 1-1 at 9:40 of the first period, as Chapman set up Kirton for a close-range breakaway goal.  However, Peoria responded to take  a 3-1 lead on goals from Michael McChesney at 13:17 and Alec Baer on a penalty shot at 18:39.  The Rivermen extended the lead to 5-1 as Griffen Fox scored 8:18 into the second period, followed by Garrett Devine at 17:11, before Chapman cut the lead to 5-2 on a back-door pass from Scott Kirton at 19:16, also assisted by Joey Berkopec.  The Thunderbolts made things more interesting in the third period, as Aidan Litke scored his first goal as a Thunderbolt, a power play goal from Logan vande Meerakker and Nolan McElhaney at 7:41, however a major penalty would cut short a power play chance shortly afterward, and Jordan Ernst scored on 4-on-4 strength at 9:01 to put the game away at 6-3.
Chapman and Kirton finished with one goal and one assist each, while Litke scored Evansville’s third goal.  In net, Cole Ceci finished with 35 saves on 41 shots.  The Thunderbolts and Rivermen meet again on Sunday, February 16th at Ford Center.

CECI SHINES FOR THUNDERBOLTS DESPITE 3-0 LOSS TO RIVERMEN

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CECI SHINES FOR THUNDERBOLTS DESPITE 3-0 LOSS TO RIVERMEN
 
Evansville, In.:  In a low-event game offensively, Cole Ceci kept the Thunderbolts in the game all the way to the depths of regulation, stopping 29 of 31 shots as the Thunderbolts offense was held off the board in a 3-0 loss to Peoria on Friday night at Ford Center.  The Thunderbolts’ next home game will be on Friday, February 14th against the Quad City Storm at 7:05pm CT.
                The first period was a relatively close one, as the Thunderbolts killed off a pair of early penalties and were only outshot 10-6.  The difference came early in the second period, in which the Rivermen outshot Evansville 16-4.  On a power play, Renat Dadadzhanov scored for Peoria at 1:21, followed by Carson Baptiste at 5:49 to open a 2-0 lead for the Rivermen.  Ceci shut the door the rest of the way, stopped every shot after that including a 2-on-1 chance late in the period that nearly made it 3-0.  Evansville’s best play came in the third period, outshooting Peoria 13-6, but could not find the back of the net as Michael McChesney scored an empty net goal at 18:43 to seal the result, 3-0 Peoria the final score.  The Thunderbolts and Rivermen meet again on Saturday, February 8th at Peoria Civic Center.

USI drops pair on second day of Hawai’i Paradise Classic

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USI drops pair on second day of Hawai’i Paradise Classic

HONOLULU – University of Southern Indiana Softball had a tough second day at the Hawai’i Paradise Classic on Friday, as the Screaming Eagles suffered a pair of losses against Santa Clara University, 9-0, and the University of Hawai’i, 7-2.

The first two innings went by scoreless in the day’s first game against Santa Clara (1-2). The Broncos tallied the game’s first runs in the top of the third inning, scoring three runs on four hits including two extra-base hits.

Santa Clara added to its lead with a single run in the fourth, fifth, and sixth frames. The Broncos generated extra insurance with another three-run inning in the top of the seventh inning.

Southern Indiana (1-2) scattered four hits in the game, including a first-career hit by freshman Jinnis Gerth. Senior pitcher Whitley Hunter (0-1) was dealt the loss in the pitching circle after giving up four runs in four innings pitched. Freshman pitcher Kylie Witthaus and junior pitcher Maddison Depencier made their USI debuts and combined to finish the last three innings in relief.

Santa Clara registered nine runs off 12 hits. Junior pitcher Hazyl Gray (1-0) was awarded the win after hurling 4.2 shutout innings.

USI later faced tournament host Hawai’i (3-0) in the nightcap of Friday’s slate of games. The Rainbow Wahine opened the game’s scoring in the bottom of the second inning with a two-run triple.

Southern Indiana got the two runs back in the third. Following two singles in the frame, senior outfielder Kennedy Nalley put a ball in play and an error in centerfield allowed the two USI baserunners to score and tie the game, 2-2. A Hawai’i sac fly in the home half of the third put the host back ahead, 3-2.

Meanwhile, senior pitcher Josie Newman was utilizing her strikeout stuff. Through four innings, the right-hander had 11 strikeouts and struck out the side in three of the four innings.

Newman added two more strikeouts in the fifth but ran into some trouble in the sixth inning. Hawai’i tacked onto its lead with a four-run inning, including a two-run home run, and went on to close out the game.

USI scored two runs on three hits. Junior outfielder Caroline Stapleton had two of the three hits. Newman (1-1) was charged with the loss, surrendering seven runs and striking out 13 batters in a complete game of six innings pitched.

Hawai’i scored seven runs on nine hits. Redshirt senior pitcher Addison Kostrencich (2-0) went the distance, giving up two unearned runs and striking out seven.

With the conclusion of the round-robin format on Friday, the Screaming Eagles wrap up action at the Hawai’i Paradise Classic on Saturday in a seeded bracket format. USI will play Hawai’i again Saturday at 4:30 p.m. CT. The result of the game determines if USI’s second game on Saturday is in the championship or consolation games. Links for live stats coverage are available at usiscreaming

Hartwig sets a new career scoring high at Southern Illinois

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Hartwig sets a new career scoring high at Southern Illinois

CARBONDALE, Ill. – A 28-point fourth quarter almost earned the University of Evansville women’s basketball team a comeback against Southern Illinois.
The Purple Aces ended up three points shy of their first road win in a 72-69 loss at Southern Illinois. UE had two strong offensive quarters at the Banterra Center, but Evansville’s defense struggled to contain the Salukis from having two 20+ point quarters. Sophomore forward Maggie Hartwig (Sauk City, Wis. / Sauk Prairie HS) had the best scoring game of her career in Carbondale with 29 points while also having her sixth double-double with 10 rebounds.
Hartwig made the first bucket of the game on Friday, but SIU jumped out to a 10-point lead in the quarter. The Aces had an almost seven-minute scoreless streak that ended at the free throw line. UE was able to put together a 10-point run in the final three minutes of the quarter to tie the game up at 12 points apiece.
Evansville and the Salukis went bucket for bucket early in the second quarter, trading the lead five times. But it was Southern Illinois who put together multiple runs with a nine-point lead midway through the second. The Aces cut into SIU’s runs three times in the final four minutes of the first half but headed into the locker room down 33-24.
UE’s offense got the game back into single digits early in the second half. The Salukis returned to their double-figure lead midway through the third as Evansville struggled to put together a run. The Aces had only their second run of the quarter with four straight points out of the media timeout. But Southern Illinois closed out the third on a 9-1 run as UE trailed by 16 going into the final 10 minutes.
 The fourth quarter began with the team’s trading shots for the first two minutes. Evansville put together three short runs to get its offense going again. The Aces then broke out on their best run of the game with 12 straight points, making it a one-point game with 1:37 left on the clock. UE got the ball back after forcing a Saluki turnover. But Evansville turned the ball over as SIU scored four points in the final 48 seconds for the 72-69 final.
Three Aces ended the night in double figures with Hartwig leading the way on her career-high night. Freshman Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind. / Hamilton Heights HS) had a 17-point night while senior guard Júlia Palomo (La Seu d’Urgell, Spain) scored 10 points. Friday was Palomo’s first double-figure game since Belmont and only her second of MVC play. Hartwig was the only UE player with 10+ rebounds against the Salukis, but Runner was just one shy with nine boards.
Evansville continues on the road over the weekend to Springfield, Mo. It will be the Aces’ last Valley game at Missouri State on Sunday, February 9. Tip-off from Great Southern Bank Arena is set for 2 p.m.

Hoosier Basketball Coach Mike Woodson to Retire – Could Bruce Pearl Be the Next IU Head Coach?

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When the IU men’s basketball team takes to the court today to play Michigan, they’ll do so with the knowledge that their coach is on the way out. IU athletics director Scott Dolson confirms that men’s basketball head coach Mike Woodson will retire at the end of this season.

Indiana will begin searching for a new head coach for the third time in the past decade. In his four years at IU, Woodson has a 77-49 record with eight games left in this season.

Woodson, 66, played under Bobby Knight from 1976 to 1980 and scored 2,061 career points. He played in the NBA for 11 years and coached for 21.

Now speculation is circulating that a $100 million dollar deal may be in the works for Auburn head coach and former USI coach Bruce Pearl.

STATEMENT FROM VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS SCOTT DOLSON ON THE STATUS OF IU MEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH MIKE WOODSON

During a meeting with Coach Woodson on Wednesday, he informed me he wanted to step down as our program’s head coach at the end of the current season. He said it had been weighing on his mind for a while, and that it was an emotional and difficult decision. We have had subsequent thoughtful conversations about his decision and his desire to ensure that the program is in the best position it can be moving forward. At an appropriate time, Coach Woodson will articulate his feelings about his decision and his experiences these last four years.

It’s clear to me from our discussions in the last several days that his No. 1 priority is for the attention to be off him, and instead focused on uniting Hoosier Nation in support of our student-athletes, coaches, and, most importantly, the program. We still have much to play for this season as we prepare for Saturday’s game against Michigan and the remainder of the 2024-25 season, and we want to encourage Hoosier fans to rally around the program and support it in the same positive way that Hoosier fans did during Mike’s All-America and Big Ten MVP playing career.

Coach Woodson is a class act. During the last four years, he has led the program during a transformational time in college athletics and helped us become a national leader in evolving areas including NIL and the Transfer Portal. No one loves IU Basketball more than he does. I want to thank him for coming back to Bloomington and accepting the challenge of rebuilding our program and re-connecting it with its past and its foundation. In pursuit of that goal, it was important to him that he bring back other legendary Hoosier players such as Calbert Cheaney, Randy Wittman, and Jordan Hulls, all of whom share his love and passion for this program. That’s a group of individuals that combined for 375 wins at IU, seven Big Ten championships, two Final Fours, and a national title.

With this decision made, Coach Woodson and I share the desire to see Hoosier Nation unite beginning on Saturday afternoon in support of these players, coaches, and program.

These 5 Dogs Need Foster Homes Now!!!

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Calla
There are currently 5 dogs (Sinka, AJ, Calla, Blondie and Tornga) that can leave with fosters today!!
If YOU can foster please reach out to your rescue of choice!! Rescues you can foster through:
If you’re looking to adopt come in ANYTIME during open hours for a meet and greet!! If you have other dogs in the home make sure to bring them in as well!!
⭐️ALL dogs are available for adoptions unless stated otherwise – adoptions must be in progress by 4:30
RECLAIM YOUR PETS!!! – reclaims must be in progress by 4:30
Evansville Animal Care and Control
815 E Uhlhorn Street Evansville
10am to 5pm
Monday through Saturday
812-435-6015

Senate bill would give parents time off for school meetings

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Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/interior-of-abandoned-building-256395/

By TheStatehouseFile.com

While some states in the U.S. have state-mandated time off for parent employees to attend their child’s school activities, Indiana is not on that list.

Senate Bill 409 would allow employees to attend their children’s meetings without being penalized by their employer.

These meetings could be for reasons such as parent-teacher conferences, disciplinary and behavioral meetings, or emergencies.

According to the Center for Parent Information & Resources, “The right to participate in meetings related to their child is one of the most important and powerful of parent rights.” The Family and Medical Leave Act, which covers some school meetings, has been passed as law in 13 states as of January 2025, and many states are looking to follow or make their own similar laws. 

On Tuesday in the Indiana Senate, an amendment for SB 409 clarified some language before being passed in its second reading. It now heads to a final vote in the chamber.

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