EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball took down Morehead State University, 78-59, on Saturday at Liberty Arena to move to 2-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play behind a career-high 35 points from senior guard Ali Saunders.
With the win, USI Women’s Basketball (8-2, 2-0 OVC) won its fourth straight game while starting 2-0 in OVC action for the third season in a row. Meanwhile, Morehead State dropped to 4-8 overall and 0-2 in league play.
Saturday’s 35-point performance from Saunders was USI’s first 30-point game by a Screaming Eagle since Hannah Haithcock dropped 31 points at Lindenwood University on January 19, 2023. It is also the most in a single game by a USI player since former Eagle Emma DeHart tallied 39 points at Rockhurst University on February 6, 2021. Saunders, who reached 1,000 career points in recent weeks, passed her previous career best of 32 points, which she set while at Valparaiso University as a freshman against the University of Alabama Birmingham on November 21, 2022.
Saunders registered her 35-point performance on 10-22 shooting overall with six made threes and a perfect 9-9 at the free-throw line. The senior scored 25 of the 35 points in the second half. The guard also added five assists and four steals. Junior forward Chloe Gannon was second in scoring for the Screaming Eagles on Saturday with 15 points, and freshman forward Channah Gannon added 15 points for her third consecutive double-digit effort.
Collectively, USI shot above 40 percent (26-64) overall, totaled seven made triples, and went for 73 percent (19-26). The Screaming Eagles outrebounded Morehead State 40-27, with half of USI’s total coming on the offensive glass. USI’s defense was active again, forcing 25 turnovers to lead to 33 points. Morehead State shot for 46.5 percent (20-43) overall with five threes and below 61 percent (14-23) at the charity stripe.
It took a couple of minutes for the ball to fall through the hoop for USI on Saturday, but after Chloe Gannon got the Screaming Eagles on the board, USI built a quick 11-0 run to go up 11-2 by the 5:30 mark of the first quarter. USI’s lead reached double digits late in the first quarter and reached a dozen, 26-14, at the end of the opening frame. The Screaming Eagles’ defensive pressure forced nine Morehead State turnovers in the first period, leading to 16 points on USI’s offensive end.
Like the first quarter, the second quarter featured another slow start for both sides. Three minutes into the second, Saunders knocked down a mid-range jumper on the baseline to reach 10 points in the game, as USI doubled up Morehead State on the scoreboard, 28-14. Channah Gannon provided a spark in the middle of the quarter, reaching double figures for the game and building USI’s lead to 15, 34-19. However, Morehead State made a late run to bring the Screaming Eagles’ lead down to eight, 38-30, at halftime.
The Screaming Eagles started the second half on the attack, going on a 10-0 run and forcing a quick Morehead State timeout. Saunders drained a pair of threes to ignite the run. Saunders also had a three-point play in the middle of the third quarter that gave USI a 51-34 advantage. Morehead State drew back within 10, 56-46, with a minute left in the third, but USI responded with four straight points to take a 60-46 lead to the fourth quarter.
Two minutes into the fourth, Saunders scored a layup to set a new USI career high, reaching the 25-point plateau. A few minutes later, Saunders canned a three-pointer to help USI maintain a 14-point lead, 67-53. Saunders was not done there, converting at the free-throw line and cashing in one more triple to post the new career-best 35 points. Saunders’ run and a pair of makes from Chloe Gannon allowed USI to pull away and put a stamp on the win.
Saunders pours in career-high 35 points to lead USI to 2-0 start in OVC play
USI loses a heartbreaker in overtime, 64-60
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball lost an overtime heartbreaker to Morehead State University, 64-60, Saturday afternoon at Liberty Arena. The Screaming Eagles go to 3-9 overall and 0-2 in the OVC, while the MSU Eagles are 5-7, 2-0 OVC.
Senior guard Cardell Bailey led a Screaming Eagles explosion out of the opening tip by scoring 10 points and gave USI a 12-point advantage, 16-4, before six minutes were gone in the game. USI, as a team, hit six of its first eight shots and four-of-five from beyond the arc.
Morehead State cut the advantage to three points, 25-22, with 3:47 before halftime, but USI re-extended the lead to seven points at the end of 20 minutes, 33-26. Bailey had a team-best 14 points to lead the way for the Eagles.
In the second half, Morehead State used a strong defense to stifle the USI offense and would eventually send the game into overtime tied 55-55. The Screaming Eagles were held to 17.4 percent in the second half (4-23) and outscored 29-22.
In overtime, the MSU Eagles scored the first four points to lead, 59-55, before junior guard Kaden Brown brought the Screaming Eagles to within one, 59-58, on a three-pointer from the right side.
After a bucket by Morehead State with 48.4 seconds, USI missed on its first attempt but got the ball back with 30 seconds. Brown would once again pull USI back to within one, 61-60, on a pair of free throws with 24 seconds left.
The MSU Eagles would re-extend the margin to three points, 63-60, with a pair of free throws of their own and withstood one last shot by the Screaming Eagles before closing out the 64-60 victory with one more free throw.
Next Up For USI:
USI will be on the road to open the 2026 calendar. The Screaming Eagles will visit SIU Edwardsville on New Year’s Day and Lindenwood on January 3. Both games are scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. tip-off.
THUNDERBOLTS DEFEATED 4-1 BY RIVERMEN
The Word 120 , Power in the name of Jesus!
Power in the name of Jesus! by Jerome Stewart 
After the birth of Jesus and He grew older, He was on the move doing the things necessary for all mankind to become recipients of His salvation. The reason that Jesus was born into the world was because of the mercy and grace of a loving God. The words in Romans chapter 9 vs. 15 come to mind. The bible says; ‘For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy, on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.”
After the Apostles were given miraculous gifts Jesus said to them in Matthew 10 vs. 8; “Heal the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.” Before we go any further be advised, there are no Apostles today who can heal the sick, cleanse lepers, cast out devils and raise the dead.
Acts chapter 3 vss. 1 thru 3 says; “Now Peter and John went together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain lame man from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple, who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked alms.” The lame man was hoping to receive something. He was about to receive a tremendous blessing!
Vss. 4 thru 6 says; “And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said; “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Instantly the lame man was healed, because of the goodness of the Lord, who had endowed His apostles with miraculous gifts.
Vss. 7 thru 10 says; “And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple praising with them—walking, leaping, and, praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”
Remember Peter said to the lame man “in the name of Jesus of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Believe it to the fullest extent possible that today there is power in the name of Jesus!
Philippians chapter 2 vss. 11 and 12 says; “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
Which begs the question? Do you know Jesus? If not you need to.
Indiana 211: Connecting Hoosiers to Holiday Support and Essential Resources
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New forecast shows big growth in Indiana surplus
Medicaid eligibility checks result in large decrease in enrollment
Indiana’s state budget surplus could grow to nearly $5 billion by the middle of 2027 under new and much rosier tax revenue projections.
An updated report presented Thursday to the State Budget Committee forecast tax collections growing by 4.2% this fiscal year and by 2.7% the following year.
That would give the state about $2.4 billion more than officials expected when the new state budget was finalized in April — and revenue growth was anticipated at 0.8% and 0.1% for the two years of the spending plan.
But Republican state fiscal leaders showed no signs of any spending boosts for the tight budget that took effect July 1.
“It was a positive forecast and it was good news for our state,” House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jeff Thompson said. “But remember, we’re less than 25% through this biennial budget, so there’s some uncertainty still.”
The revenue growth would push the state’s cash reserves from what had been an expected $2.7 billion in mid-2027 — about 12% of annual state spending — to $5 billion, or about 22% of state spending. That is well above the 10-15% level that leaders usually aim for.
Democrats said the unexpected revenue should allow the state to restore spending cuts made after the Legislature was “spooked” by the dismal April forecast.
Rep. Greg Porter, the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, said the state needed to make better use of the available funds rather than more tax cuts.
“The people who really need it, the special needs individuals, our children, seniors, they’re going to be left out in the cold,” Porter said.
Gov. Mike Braun touted the revenue forecast as “evidence that our focus on jobs and wages to grow the economy is working.”
“We are boosting Hoosier wages and lowering taxes,” Braun said in a statement. “While many other states are struggling to gain momentum, Indiana is thriving and Hoosiers are keeping more money in their pockets.”
Medicaid costs growing slower
New projections also show Indiana’s Medicaid program costs will grow slower than expected as the number of people it covers has dropped about 15% in the first year of Braun’s administration.
Medicaid officials are also planning a 10% cut in the payment rate for an autism therapy program that has drawn particular concern for its fast-growing expenses.
The state’s rising Medicaid expenditures have been a major worry of state budget officialsfor the past several years — and a new forecast of those costs released Thursday indicated some relief.
The previous forecast released in April had Medicaid costs jumping by 9.5% during the current state fiscal year and 7.7% next fiscal year, for a total increase of $1.2 billion over those two years.
The new projections have those growth rates slowing to 3.2% and 6.4% per fiscal year, totaling about $465 million less in state spending for the two-year period.
That cost slowdown comes as Indiana’s enrollment in the low-income health care coverage has dropped from about 2 million people at the beginning of this year to 1.7 million in November — a removal of about one in every seven people who were enrolled.
Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Mitch Roob, who oversees the Medicaid program, attributed much of the enrollment drop to the income verification letters now sent every three months that started in April.
But the state’s Medicaid expenses haven’t dropped by a similar rate because those who’ve not maintained their enrollment are healthy and not often seeking health care, Roob said.
“You have fewer patients, but you’re covering the sicker patients,” Roob told the Indiana Capital Chronicle ahead of Thursday’s State Budget Committee presentation.
Roob said the state agency doesn’t know yet how frequently those dropped from the Medicaid rolls by not responding to the income-verification letters eventually are re-enrolled.
“You’d probably need at least 18 months worth of data to discern that,” Roob said. “I think that’s an important question and it’s worth knowing, but we don’t know it yet.”
Payment cuts for autism therapy
Medicaid officials presented their plan to reduce payments for applied behavior analysis, or ABA, therapy that is often used to improve communication and learning skills in children and young adults with autism or other developmental disorders.
The plan is to reduce the state’s current ABA therapy payment rate of about $68 an hour to near what Medicaid officials say is the national average of $61 an hour.
The payment cut is planned to take effect in April for a program that has seen its use surge in recent years. More than 8,000 Hoosiers rely on Medicaid to pay for ABA therapy, with most of them between three and eight years of age.
Roob said Braun had told him to get ABA therapy costs to a “reasonable” spot.
“We think smack dab in the middle is reasonable,” Roob said. “We value ABA therapy, right? But we can’t afford ABA therapy for all in perpetuity.”
Indiana’s Medicaid program began covering ABA services in 2016, spending about $21 million over the following year.
Expenditures peaked at $611 million in 2023, and dropped slightly to $445 million in 2024, after former Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration set lower reimbursement rates.
‘Tis The Season: Vincennes University Gives Back Across Communities
VINCENNES, Ind., December 19, 2025 – Vincennes University continues its mission of service this holiday season, as VU students, staff, and faculty unite to support surrounding communities in a spirit of generosity and goodwill.
VU supported 95 children and 51 families through the University’s long-standing Christmas Families Project. This was made possible by the generosity of VU faculty and staff. They donated new toys, clothes, shoes, books, gift cards, and more to students and families from all six schools in the Vincennes Community School Corporation: Vigo, Riley, Franklin, Tecumseh-Harrison elementary schools, Clark Middle School, and Lincoln High School.
Meeting the needs of students also spurred a partnership between the VU Bowling Centerand the VU Student Success Center. They are hosting a special Food and Coat Drive on Dec. 19 and 20. Donations benefit Sandy’s Pantry, which serves VU students by helping address food insecurity and basic needs throughout the academic year.
Additionally, VU Athletics spread holiday spirit by hosting a toy drive during a Dec. 8 basketball doubleheader. This event supported the University’s Toys for Tots drive, ensuring that no child feels forgotten on Christmas.
The spirit of service extended across generations as VU students, staff, and faculty volunteers gathered at Jefferson Student Union to fill laundry baskets for the VU Generations Area 13 Agency on Aging & Disability’s 17th annual Build-A-Basket project. Filled with everyday essentials, the baskets provide older adults and individuals with disabilities across six counties, including Knox, Greene, Daviess, Dubois, Martin, and Pike, with items such as dish soap, toothpaste, and deodorant.
In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, students in the Ceramics Club and Culinary Artsprogram partnered to support Helping His Hands. Students in the Ceramics Club created around 120 one-of-a-kind bowls, while students in the Culinary Arts program prepared three kinds of delicious soups. They sold the soup in the handcrafted bowls for $15. All proceeds went to Helping His Hands, which operates a food pantry in Vincennes.
VU thanks everyone involved and all those committed to serving others throughout the year, which aligns with the University’s motto: Learn In Order To Serve.
Hoosier History Highlights
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Men’s basketball back home on Sunday afternoon
UE to face Drake at the Ford Center
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Missouri Valley Conference action continues for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team faces Drake at 3 p.m. on Sunday inside the Ford Center.
ESPN+ and Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast.
Last Time Out
– Belmont scored the first six points of the game and would hang on for an 83-78 win over the Purple Aces on Tuesday
– Trent Hundley put together his top performance in an Evansville uniform hitting six of his 10 shots from long range on his way to 20 points
– Leif Moeller added 17 while AJ Casey scored 10 points; James Dyson-Merwe set highs in points (5) and rebounds (9) versus the Bruins
Taking Control
– Trent Hundley finished with 20 points in the MVC opener against Belmont
– Hitting a career-high six 3-pointers, Hundley had his top point tally in his time at UE
– Of his 20 points, 14 came in the second half as he played over 30 minutes
– Prior to the effort versus the Bruins, Hundley’s top scoring efforts at UE saw him register nine points on four occasions including the opening three games of the season
– Hundley is shooting 41.9% from outside and 44.2% from the field; he is 7th in the MVC in 3-point shooting
Double Figures
– For the first time since Nov. 23 against Akron, AJ Casey reached double figures with 12 points against Belmont
– Casey is averaging 8.8 PPG over the last four contests to go along with 2.0 steals
– He is UE’s second-leading rebounder with 5.5 per game including 11 versus Ball State
– Casey is 16th in the MVC with 5.50 boards/game and is 6th in offensive rbs (2.33/gm)
Finding the Scoresheet
– After averaging 5.9 PPG in the opening nine games, Leif Moeller has recorded 13.7 PPG in his last three games including a career-high of 21 points at WKU
– Moeller hit his first five 3-point tries in the second half at WKU after going 7-for-33 (21.2%) before that time; he is 9-of-18 from long range in the last three contests
– The freshman scored 17 points against Belmont while his first double figure effort was 14 points in the win over Oregon State