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USI completes homestand sweep with win

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USI completes homestand sweep with win

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana junior guard Damoni Harrison and graduate forward Jack Mielke led the Screaming Eagles to a 78-66 win over Western Illinois University Saturday at Liberty Arena. The Screaming Eagles are 8-10 overall and 3-5 in OVC action, while the Leathernecks are 8-11, 2-6 OVC.

USI owned the first 11 minutes of the contest, building a 23-9 lead by the 9:41 mark. The Eagles were a blistering five-of-eight from beyond the arc as Harrison led the way with six points on two of the three-point field goals.

WIU began to chip away at the USI advantage, closing the gap to one point, 33-32, before the Eagles closed out the half with back-to-back three-point bombs by Mielke for a 39-32 advantage. Mielke finished the half with a team-best 13 points.

In the second half, USI methodically pushed the margin to 11 points in the first six minutes, 53-42. The Eagles were seven-of-11 from the field during the run with sophomore forward Stephen Olowoniyi scoring six points.

The Leathernecks would rally to close the gap for a second time, pulling to within one point, 53-52, with 10:40 remaining on the clock.

USI, once again, methodically re-built the lead in the final 10 minutes, pulling out in front by eight, 68-60, with 3:07 to play before closing out the 78-66 final with the Eagles sinking six-straight free throws.

Harrison was on fire in the second half, scoring 18 of his season-high tying 26 points. The junior guard was 11-of-19 from the field, two-of-five from beyond the arc, and two-of-two from the stripe in the game.

Mielke followed Harrison in the scoring column with 17 points and a career-high 11 rebounds for his first career double-double. The graduate forward was four-of-seven from the field, including three from downtown, and six-of-six from the stripe. Mielke also grabbed 10 of his 11 rebounds on the defensive glass.

Junior guard Jayland Randall and Olowoniyi rounded out the double-digit USI scorers with 12 points and 11 points, respectively.

Next Up For USI:
Following Saturday’s action, the Eagles will be on the road for three-straight of OVC contests. USI starts the road swing with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville January 23 in Edwardsville, Illinois, and continues at Eastern Illinois University January 25 next week.

The Cougars of SIUE are 12-7 overall and 5-3 in the OVC after falling 85-82 at the University of Tennessee at Martin Saturday. The loss snapped SIUE’s five-game winning streak, but the Cougars have won seven of its last 10 games.

USI leads the all-time series with SIUE, 46-23, but the Cougars have the edges since the Eagles moved to Division I, 3-2. The teams split last year, with both winning on the other’s home court. SIUE took the first game at Liberty Arena, 67-64, but USI bounced back to win at Edwardsville, 84-67.

The Panthers of Eastern Illinois are 5-13 overall and 1-6 in the OVC following an 84-65 loss at Tennessee State University this afternoon. EIU, which will host Morehead State University before USI goes to Charleston, has lost five straight and seven of the last nine.

The series between USI and EIU is tied 3-3 after the Panthers took the only meeting last season, 81-71, at Liberty Arena. EIU leads the series in OVC contests, 2-1.

The next home game for USI at Liberty Arena is February 1 when it starts a three-game homestand by hosting Tennessee Tech University. Tickets for the homestand and all USI home dates are on sale now at USIScreamingEagles.com.

Trailblazers Track and Field open 2025 Indoor season strong at Bellarmine Open

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Trailblazers Track and Field open 2025 Indoor season strong at Bellarmine Open

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Vincennes University Track and Field team opened their 2025 Indoor season Friday at the 2025 Bellarmine Open in Louisville.

The Blazers got the season off to a very strong start, notching three NJCAA National qualifiers in their first meet and built a great foundation for the rest of the season.

The VU men’s team was led on the day by an outstanding performance by freshman Anis Abdaoui (Kairouan, Tunisia) who picked up a third place finish in the 3000 meters, facing several NCAA Division I runners with an impressive NJCAA Nationals qualifying time of 8:27.21

The second NJCAA qualifier for the Trailblazer men’s team was freshman Anthony Keene (Harrisburg, Ill.) who came away with fourth place in the pole vault after clearing a height of 4.35 meters.

The Trailblazers also had a strong showing Friday in the 200 meter dash led by sophomore Olamipo Ladipo (Sao Paulo, Brazil) who placed third with a time of 21.71 seconds and sophomore Malik Ferdinand (Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines) who finished seventh with a time of 21.95.

Freshmen Karmiel Williams (Jasper, Ind.) and Devin Wilson (Indianapolis, Ind.) rounded out the VU finishers in the 200 meters with Williams taking 35th at 23.65 and Wilson placing 37th at 23.65 seconds.

Ferdinand, Williams and Wilson all played double duty Friday at the Bellarmine meet, with Ferdinand teaming up with fellow sophomore Zion Pruitt (Avon, Ind.) and freshmen Isaiah Ervin (French Lick, Ind.) and ArTezz Butler-Sanders (Indianapolis, Ind.) in the 4×400 relay, finishing third overall with a time of 3:25.21.

Williams and Wilson competed with the team of freshmen Marshawn Bradley (Dyer, Ind.) Kelvin Kipsang (Kapsabet, Kenya) to take 12th place with a time of 3:43.08.

Ervin, Pruitt and Butler-Sanders all then took part in the 400 meter dash, with Ervin leading the pack of Trailblazers with a time of 52.13 to take 18th.

Zion Pruitt was close behind with a time of 52.17 to take 19th and ArTezz Butler-Sanders placed 21st with a time 52.48.

Kelvin Kipsang rounded out his day on the track by competing in the 1000 meters, finishing 10th with a time of 2:43.84.

In the field events, freshman Chase Guthrie (Indianapolis, Ind.) came away with a ninth place finish in the long jump with a distance of 6.69 meters, while freshman Cayden Gasser (Delphi, Ind.) placed 20th in the shot put with a longest throw of 11.11 meters.

Guthrie then came back to compete on the track in the 60 meter sprint, finishing 22nd overall with a time of 7.13 seconds.

Freshman Aaden Mapp (Indianapolis, Ind.) also took part in the 60 meter dash with a final time of 7.55 seconds to place 51st overall.

The VU men’s results on the day were rounded out in the mile race led by sophomore Caden Hostetler (LaGrange, Ind.) who placed 20th with a time of 4:33.03.

Freshman Jeremy Delobel (Velpen, Ind.), sophomore Nathan Whitehead (Vincennes, Ind.) and freshman Lane Connaway (Carmi, Ill.) were in the next group of VU finishers in the mile, with Delobel leading the pack in 27th with a time of 4:48.16.

Whitehead was close behind taking 28th place at 4:48.75 and Connaway placed 29th with a time of 4:49.26.

Freshman Hayden Kler (Hillsboro, Ind.) rounded out the group with a 34th place finish in the mile with a final time of 5:16.99.

The Trailblazer women’s Track and Field team was led by none other than two-time defending NJCAA National Champion sophomore Sophia Salvi (Sao Paulo, Brazil) who notched the third NJCAA National qualifying standard Friday by taking seventh in the pole vault after clearing 3.61 meters.

Freshman Zoe Allen (Anderson, Ind.) placed seventh in the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 9.71 seconds and freshman Sara Belgacem (Tunis Tunisia) also placed seventh in 1000 meter with a final time of 3:17.25.

Belgacem was joined in the 1000 meter race by sophomores Adi Fuller (Evansville, Ind.) and Jasmyn Self (Casey, Ill.), with Fuller coming away in 11th place with a time of 3:24.11 and Self placing 14th at 3:34.68.

The team of Allen, Belgacem, Fuller and Self then teamed up for the 4×400 relay to place third overall with a final time of 4:29.94.

Freshmen Alexis Hale (Evansville, Ind.) and Allie Black (Lynn, Ind.) rounded out the Trailblazer results Friday in the 3000 meters with Hale taking home 27th overall with a time of 11:50.14 and Black placing 29th at 12:37.51.

“We had a good start to the season today,” VU Interim Head Track and Field Coach Tyler Steigenga said. “The first meet of the year doesn’t carry any major expectations. It’s more so just getting back in the competitive mindset and getting a chance to race for the first time in a while.”

“Sophia and Tony kicked off the meet with National qualifying standards in the Pole Vault,” Steigenga added. “We haven’t been able to jump in practice since before the winter break, so the goal was to come out today and just hit the qualifying standards. It took a few jumps for them to get going but once they did, they were clearing each bar with ease.”

“Zoe kicked off the running events with a PR in the 60m hurdles,” Steigenga said. “After her, in the men’s 60m Chase had a good opener and Aaden had a big PR. Caden was the first distance runner to run and ran one of his best races as a Trailblazer, resulting in a five second PR in the mile. In the following heat, Lane and Nathan also ran lifetime bests.”

“In the women’s 1000, Adi ran a PR in a solid season opening race,” Steigenga added. “The men’s 200 had some history making times. Olamipo and Malik ran the second and fourth fastest times in program history, both just off the National qualifying mark.”

“In the men’s 3000, Anis ran an excellently paced race and finished third overall in the field,” Steigenga said. “His time of 8:27 was well under the National qualifying mark and was the second fastest time in school history. Alexis also had a great race in the 3000m with a big PR as well.”

“With the 4×400 as the final race of the day, we put together some solid races on tired legs,” Steigenga added. “Malik ran a great opening leg and ArTezz came back from a decent 400 race to run a great leg on the 4×400, which ended up being two seconds faster.”

The Trailblazers will look to keep this early season success going as they prepare to head back to Louisville Friday, Jan. 24 for the PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic.

Vincennes will then head back to Louisville the following week, the third of four straight Louisville meets to open the season when VU takes part in the two-day PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. 1.

“There were a lot of good things on the track today and overall it was a good way to open up the season,” Steigenga said. “We had some trouble with block starts today as it was a lot of the sprinter’s first times running on a banked track. It was a good experience to race in a new environment as that’s what Nationals will be like at the end of the season.”

“Everyone came into today with tired legs after some hard workouts earlier this week,” Steigenga added. “They ran well today despite that and understand that we’ve got a lot of good opportunities ahead of us this season. It will be exciting to come back next week and compete against even more competitive fields.”

VINCENNES RESULTS

MEN’S RESULTS

60m

Chase Guthrie – 22, 7.13

Aaden Mapp – 51, 7.55

200m

Olamipo Ladipo – 3, 21.71

Malik Ferdinand – 7, 21.95

Karmiel Williams – 35, 23.65

Devin Wilson – 37, 23.65

400m

Isaiah Ervin – 18, 52.13

Zion Pruitt – 19, 52.17

ArTezz Butler-Sanders – 21, 52.48

1000m

Kelvin Kipsang – 10, 2:43.84

Mile

Caden Hostetler – 20, 4:33.03

Jeremy Delobel – 27, 4:48.16

Nathan Whitehead – 28, 4:48.75

Lane Connaway – 29, 4:49.26

Hayden Kler – 34, 5:16.99

3000m

Anis Abdaoui – 3, 8:27.21

4×400 Relay

VU A (Ferdinand, Butler-Sanders, Ervin, Pruitt) – 3, 3:25.21

VU B (Williams, Wilson, Kipsang, Bradley) – 12, 3:43.08

Pole Vault

Anthony Keene – 4, 4.35m

Long Jump

Chase Guthrie – 9, 6.69m

Shot Put

Cayden Gasser – 20, 11.11m

WOMEN’S RESULTS

1000m

Sara Belgacem – 7, 3:17.25

Adi Fuller – 11, 3:24.11

Jasmyn Self – 14, 3:34.68

3000m

Alexis Hale – 27, 11:50.14

Allie Black – 29, 12:37.51

60m Hurdles

Zoe Allen – 7, 9.71

4×400 Relay

VU (Allen, Fuller, Self, Belgacem) – 3, 4:29.94

Pole Vault

Sophia Salvi – 7, 3.61m

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Women’s Basketball: Short-handed Aces fall to Missouri State

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Short-handed Aces fall to Missouri State
The Purple Aces had only seven players active on Friday night
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With only two available forwards the University of Evansville women’s basketball team could not keep up with the Missouri State Lady Bears in an 84-57 loss.
The Purple Aces freshman led the way in their return to Meeks Family Fieldhouse on Friday night. But with only seven active players UE was not able to contain Missouri State’s offense from putting together several major runs. Freshman point guard Avery Kelley (Evansville, Ind. / Memorial HS) was Evansville’s offensive leader with a career-high 18 points followed closely by freshman guard Logan Leubbers Palmer (Union, Ky. / Randall K. Cooper HS) with her own career-high of 15 points.
“Having only seven players available I’m really proud of how hard our kids fought,” said Head Coach Robyn Scherr after the game. “It was a pretty small lineup for us with not a lot of post players available. I thought we had some really good moments. That being said, we’re out here to win. I’m disappointed because I thought we were in decent shape a quarter and a half in. And then we just didn’t close the second quarter well. We’ve got to figure out a way to start doing that better. Against good teams, you have to limit those runs and we need to figure out how to do that.
The Aces won the tip to begin a defensive-focused first quarter. The Lady Bears put together a quick seven-point run to take the early lead and soon had a double-digit lead two and a half minutes later. But UE shut down Missouri State’s offense until the final minute of the quarter to get back within two points. The Lady Bears added three more baskets in the final minute as Evansville trailed 20-13 after 10 minutes.
It was a shot-for-shot start to the second quarter. But Missouri State returned to a double-digit lead three minutes in thanks to a brief four-point run. The Aces took advantage of opportunities at the line to get back within single digits before quieting Missouri State’s offense for two-plus minutes. Five straight points for Kelley got UE within five points before the media timeout with four minutes on the clock. The Lady Bears responded by closing out the half on a 10-0 run to make it a 42-27 game.
Evansville’s offense struggled to score at the beginning of the second half as Missouri State took a 24-point lead. Luebbers Palmer ended the Aces over eight-minute scoring drought with a three-point play. Neither team scored for the next two minutes but then each scored twice in under a minute. The Lady Bears stretched their lead to 29 points twice in the third. But UE responded with two trips to the line and three layups to bring the deficit down to 23.
Missouri State had the first two baskets of the final quarter. But Evansville’s defense became engaged as they held the Lady Bears scoreless for two and a half minutes. The Aces were able to get back within 21 points with three minutes left. But six straight points put the game firmly out of reach for UE as they fell to Missouri State 84-57.
Three freshmen ended the night in double figures for Evansville as Kelley (18), Luebbers Palmer (15), and Runner (11) led the team. Four players had five rebounds each to lead on the defensive side of the ball while Kelley was the only player with multiple assists (2) and steals (2).
The Aces are back in action Sunday afternoon against the Southern Illinois Salukis for the MVC Featured Game of the Week. Tip-off from Meeks Family Fieldhouse is set for 1 p.m. on January 19th.
-www.gopurpleaces.com-

Hess wins 1,000m as Eagles churn out strong effort at Bellarmine

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Hess wins 1,000m as Eagles churn out strong effort at Bellarmine

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Sophomore Cole Hess finished first in the 1,000 meters to lead University of Southern Indiana Men’s Track & Field at the Bellarmine Open Friday at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center.

Hess finished the race in two minutes, 28.58 seconds, edging out his teammate in junior Isaac Stanford, who was second with at time of 2:28.63. Hess and Stanford’s times respectively rank second and third, all-time at USI in the 1,000 meters.

Freshman Griffen Wheeler also earned a fifth-place finish in the same event as he crossed the finish line in 2:32.57.

As a team, the Screaming Eagles had six top-five finishes and 11 top-eight placements.

Sophomore Alex Nolan and freshman Layden Wagoner finished second and fifth, respectively, in the mile, while junior Brady Terry was fourth in the 3,000 meters.

Nolan crossed the finish line in 4:14.16, while Wagoner ran the mile in 4:15.77. Terry crossed the finish line in the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:36.60 to round out USI’s top-five performers.

USI got top-eight finishes from sophomore Eli Mojonnier (1,000m/6th) as well as freshmen Jadon Muncy (3,000m/6th), Blake Smith (3,000m/7th) and Zach Wells (3,000m/8th).

Hess, Stanford, Wheeler and Mojonnier also teamed up for a seventh-place finish in the 4×400-meter relay.

USI returns to Louisville next Friday to compete in the PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic.

Comastri’s record-breaking day leads Eagles at Bellarmine

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Comastri’s record-breaking day leads Eagles at Bellarmine

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Senior Audrey Comastri raced to a pair of top-five finishes to lead University of Southern Indiana Women’s Track & Field at the Bellarmine Open Friday at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center.

Comastri finished first in the 1,000 meters with school-record time of two minutes, 56.19 seconds, while her fifth-place finish in the 3,000 meters later in the day marked a new personal-best time of 10:21.05 for the Indianapolis native.

As a team, the Screaming Eagles racked up eight top-five performances and 11 top-eight finishes, including a monster effort in the 1,000 meters.

Comastri’s previous school-record in the 1,000 meters—2:58.36 at the 2024 Bellarmine Open—also was surpassed by freshman Abrielle Richard and junior Emily Rempe, who were second and third, respectively, in the event. Richard crossed the finish line in 2:57.39, while Rempe finished in 2:58.17.

Freshman Addison Applegate followed the record-breaking trio with a fifth-place finish in the 1,000 meters.

The Eagles also got a strong effort from sophomore Zoe Seward, who opened her indoor season with a second-place finish in the 3,000 meters. Seward crossed the finish line in 10:15.44.

Senior Olivia Clark also came close to a personal record as she finished fifth in the 400 meters with a time of 1:01.75. She also was 21st in the 200 meters.

Junior Ellie Hall was fifth in the mile with a time of 5:05.17, while freshman Hadessah Austin was sixth with a time of 5:05.21.

Freshmen Maggie Smith and Emma Deweese were sixth and eighth, respectively, in the 800 meters to round out USI’s top-eight performers.

USI returns to Louisville next Friday to compete in the PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic.

DOMINANT SPECIAL TEAMS EFFORT LEADS ‘BOLTS OVER PEORIA, 4-3

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DOMINANT SPECIAL TEAMS EFFORT LEADS ‘BOLTS OVER PEORIA, 4-3
 
Peoria, Ill.:  Behind a season-best three power play goals along with a perfect night of penalty killing, the Thunderbolts emerged in the third period to defeat the Peoria Rivermen 4-3 in Peoria on Friday night . The Thunderbolts’ next home game will be on Friday, January 24th against the Pensacola Ice Flyers at 7:05pm CT.
                The Rivermen scored in the opening minute, as Jordan Ernst gave Peoria a 1-0 lead 45 seconds into the contest.  A few minutes later, the Thunderbolts gained a spark as Brady Lynn squared off against Peoria’s Frankie Trazzera, more than holding his own as he fought to a draw against the larger Trazzera.  The momentum shift helped lead to the tying goal, scored by Scott Kirton at 7:10, unassisted.  The Rivermen gained a major power play midway through the period, and although they did not score on the power play, they scored immediately afterward as Nick Gullo made it 2-1 Peoria at 16:10.  Evansville scored the second period’s lone goal, as Logan vande Meerakker scored on a major power play from Anthony Hora and Matt Dorsey to tie the game once again at 2-2.  In the third period, Evansville scored a pair of power play goals to gain a 4-2 lead, as Jordan Simoneau scored on a rebound from Lynn at 9:19, followed by a net-front deflection by Dorsey at 14:14 from Vande Meerakker and Kirton.  Peoria responded at 18:01 as Daniel Chartrand scored to make it 4-3, however the Thunderbolts held down the fort the rest of the way for the victory, their second win in Peoria this season.
                Kirton, Dorsey, and Vande Meerakker each finished with one goal and assist, while Simoneau finished with one goal.  In goal, Cole Ceci finished with 15 saves on 18 shots for his 7th win of the season.  The Thunderbolts and Rivermen meet again on Saturday, January 18th at Peoria Civic Center, face-off set for 7:15pm CT.
Individual game tickets and group packages are on sale for the 2024-25 season.  Season tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now.  Call 812-422-BOLT(2658) or visit our website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.
About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the SPHL.  The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

Jim Redwine Gavel Gamut: Those Who Serve

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GAVEL GAMUT
By Jim Redwine
www.jamesmredwine.com
THOSE WHO SERVE

On January 20, 2025 America swears in its new president for a four-year term. A president
who just completed a four-year term will leave office on that same date. Countless public
servants will also be leaving as countless replacements will move in. Throughout the United
States, local, city/town, county and state officials will be switching roles as the rest of us juggle our past and future servants’ identities and duties. These offices will not all change on the 20 th or even during the same month or year. Of course, most of us barely take note of the shifting federal servants much less who is figuring our taxes or keeping track of our real and personal property, enforcing our laws or chasing down rabid animals. We take almost everything any of our multiple governments do without a second thought, unless we or our family needs a service.

But as one who has sought elective public office on several occasions, I appreciate the
angst our elected and appointed public workers suffer. My first political campaign was for the nomination for Prosecuting Attorney; I was unopposed. I was convinced the world recognized my superior talents. That fall I lost the general election; I was comforted by telling myself the public had not appreciated its mistake. However, I have never completely recovered, although the person who beat me and I later became respectful friends.

Then, two years later I ran for judge and won. I just knew the public had recovered from
its political dystopia. Thereafter, I ran for judge every six years for thirty years, but was
unopposed in each primary and general election. However, until the filing date closed each cycle, I held my breath as all office seekers probably do. Even an uncontested election calls forth anxiety, although each time I convinced myself no one had cause to run against me. And it was not just my welfare I was responsible for; my staff, not to mention my family, relied on my status too.

Well, Gentle Reader, you probably right away figured out what I meant to say today, but
I will continue to say it anyway. Most people quickly criticize their public servants, but few of us acknowledge their precarious predicament and their essential roles. Many of them expend great energy and significant amounts of money for the privilege of operating our democracy. For me, they deserve thanks; so, Thanks!

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

These Five Dogs Need a Foster Home

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There are dogs that need a warm home and some love. Contact Evansville Animal Care and Control about these or other pets to foster or adopt.

Indiana Black Legislative Caucas unveils 2025 Legislative Agenda

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HARRIS, IBLC UNVEIL 2025 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA: ‘HEALTHY BODIES, HEALTHY MINDS’
 
INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), announced that mental and physical health will be the focus of the caucus’ 2025 legislative agenda.
The “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds” agenda aims to increase access to health care, improve health outcomes for Hoosiers, bring more physicians to the state of Indiana and enhance funding for mental health care.
The collection of bills, which includes a “Momnibus” package in honor of the late Sen. Jean Breaux, also includes access to safe housing, maternal health resources for incarcerated women and legislation requiring mental health professionals to assist law enforcement with calls pertaining to a mental health or substance use disorder crises.
“When speaking about public health, we need to be thinking about the many facets of life that have an impact on our overall health and wellbeing,” Harris said during a press conference today. “From making schools safer to increasing access to affordable housing, we in the IBLC are hard at work to make Indiana a safer, healthier and more equitable place to live, study, work and raise a family.
“We’re not naïve; we know we won’t fix all of Indiana’s health problems in one legislative session,” Harris said. “But this year, we’re committed to doing everything we can to help Hoosiers get access to preventative care, lower health care costs, bring more doctors to the state and to improve mental and physical health outcomes for citizens across the board.”
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