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Lady Blazers connect on 16 from behind the arc in big win over Wayne County

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VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers were not slowed by tip-off Monday night being delayed by 35 minutes, connecting on 16 made three-pointers, the most by a Lady Trailblazers team since March of 2021, to come away with a big 111-35 victory over Wayne County Community College.

The night got off to a slow start at the Physical Education Complex, as the Lady Wildcats caused a 35-minute delay of tip-off.

VU did not let this affect them on the court, as the Blazers quickly built a lead with a 13-0 scoring run in the first quarter to take a 15-4 advantage.

The Lady Blazers would continue to add to their lead to end the opening period of play, finishing the first 10 minutes of play with a 25-10 lead over Wayne County.

Vincennes again continued to increase their lead to start the second quarter of action, outscoring the Wildcats 12-4 to begin the quarter to get the lead up to 37-14.

The Lady Trailblazers closed out the first half of play with a 13-0 scoring run to take a 54-20 lead into the locker room at the break.

Sophomore Katrina Litte (Valmiera, Latvia) got the VU offense going early in the first half, connecting on four of four from behind the arc to head into halftime with a game-high 16 points.

The Lady Trailblazers really turned up the defensive pressure in the third quarter, opening the second half by scoring the first 23 points of the period to increase their scoring run to 36-0 going back to the second quarter.

Wayne County did not score for the first eight minutes of the third quarter and scored three points in the quarter off of three made free throws.

Vincennes outscored the Wildcats 26-3 in the third period, holding Wayne County to without a made field goal in the 10 minute quarter.

VU headed to the fourth quarter looking to close out the big win and began the final 10 minutes of play by outscoring Wayne County 12-3 to take a 92-26 lead.

Vincennes would later seal the game with a 12-0 scoring run to finish out the 111-35 victory over the Lady Wildcats.

VU was led offensively by Katrina Litte, who was one of six VU scorers in double-figures Monday night. Litte ended with a game-high 19 points, with five made threes and five assists.

Sophomores Elikya Baseyila (Paris, France) and Brie Miller (Bainbridge, Ind.) each recorded double-doubles Monday night, with Baseyila ending with 15 points and an outstanding 17 rebounds, while Miller ended her night with 13 points, including a made three, 11 rebounds and four assists.

Sophomore Johnai Wimbleduff (Indianapolis, Ind.) came off the bench to score in double-figures, ending with 14 points, four rebounds and a pair of steals.

Freshman Giavonnie Belton (Indianapolis, Ind.) also hit double-figures off the bench, connecting on four three-pointers on her way to 14 points, four assists and three steals on the game.

Freshman Karina Scott (Noblesville, Ind.) was the sixth VU scorer in double-figures, ending with 13 points and a team-high six assists.

Sophomore Maycee Lange (Vincennes, Ind.) matched Scott’s six assists on the night, while also ending with seven points and a pair of steals.

Sophomore Najra Voloder (Konjic, Bosnia) just missed out on a double-double off the bench, ending with eight points and setting a new career-high with 14 rebounds.

Freshman Makyla Tucker (Indianapolis, Ind.) rounded out the VU scoring with eight points and three assists.

Vincennes as a team shot 53-percent from the floor on the game, including 46 percent from three-point range and shot 60-percent from the floor in the second half.

The Lady Blazers will look to keep this momentum going through the Thanksgiving break when VU returns to the floor Wednesday, Nov. 29 to host No. 11-ranked Three Rivers College at the Physical Education Complex. Tip-off time for that game is set for 7 p.m. eastern.

BOX SCORE

VINCENNES (111): Brie Miller 5-11 2-3 13, Maycee Lange 2-5 2-2 7, Elikya Baseyila 7-9 1-1 15, Karina Scott 5-12 0-0 13, Katrina Litte 7-11 0-0 19, Giavonnie Belton 5-13 0-0 14, Makyla Tucker 3-5 1-1 8, Najra Voloder 4-8 0-0 8, Johnai Wimbleduff 4-6 5-6 14, Team 42-80 11-13 111.

Wayne County – 10   10   3   12 – 35

VU (3-4) – 25   29   26   31 – 111

Three-point goals: VU 16 (Litte 5, Belton 4, Scott 3, Miller, Lange, Tucker, Wimbleduff). Rebounds: VU 54 (Baseyila 17). Assists: VU 32 (Lange 6, Scott 6). Steals: VU 16 (Baseyila 3, Belton 3). Blocked Shots: VU 6 (Baseyila 2, Voloder 2). Turnovers: VU 19. Personal Fouls: VU 18. Fouled out: None. Technical Fouls: VU 2 (Wimbleduff (2 – 0:12), Bench (3 – 0:54)).

 

Black organizations’ call for Newfields transparency

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The African American Coalition of Indianapolis and 18 other Black organizations—100 Black Men of Indianapolis, Alpha Phi Alpha Iota Lambda Chapter, Baptist Minister’s Alliance, Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League, Indiana Black Expo, Indianapolis Professional Association, Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis Urban League, Indy Black Chamber of Commerce, Inner Beauty, Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Indianapolis, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Alpha Alpha Omega Indianapolis Alumni Chapter, New B.O.Y, Not 1 More Project, Purpose for My Pain, the Fathers Foundation and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women—on Sunday released the following statement regarding the abrupt exit of Dr. Colette Burnette from Newfields:

“The African American Coalition of Indianapolis (AACI) expresses profound concern and seeks clarity on the recent announcement of Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette’s departure from Newfields. The communication from Newfields’ Board of Trustees does not suffice to explain the reasons behind the exit of a leader who has endeavored to rebuild the institution’s reputation and foster meaningful connections with Indianapolis’ marginalized communities.

“In her 15-month tenure, Dr. Burnette confronted the institution’s past issues with accusations of a toxic and discriminatory culture that failed to serve audiences of color. Her appointment, which followed a controversial job posting indicating a preference for maintaining a “core white art audience,” was a beacon of progress, signifying Newfields’ commitment to transformation into an anti-racist and inclusive institution. Following Dr. Burnette’s arrival, we witnessed increased partnerships with community organizations as well as programming that advanced the inclusiveness of the institution. Dr. Burnette’s leadership, engagement, and collaborative partnerships finally gave the community a sense of belonging.

“The lack of transparency surrounding her departure raises unsettling questions. Amid many rumors and allegations fueled by a press announcement highlighting her exit, we are left feeling angry, frustrated, confused, and betrayed. Did the Board of Trustees give Dr. Burnette the necessary support and grace to navigate such a complex environment? Does this sudden change in leadership reflect a deeper reluctance to authentically pursue the anti-racist and inclusive values professed by the board? Were complaints, if any, against Dr. Burnette given undue weight, and was the challenging environment she was tasked to reform considered in the board’s decision? These are the questions that we now have because of Newfields’ announcement, and we must emphasize that the way Dr. Burnette’s exit was announced has created a worse perception. Newfields’ actions took it two steps back as it relates to community relations. The board should re-examine its commitment and determine if it is sincere and capable of building trust in the Black community.

“The situation compels us to consider if the outcome would have been different had the racial dynamics at play been otherwise. These questions are not just conjecture; they stem from a discernible pattern in Indianapolis where Black professionals seldom see long tenures in executive roles. This trend contradicts our collective mission for a thriving African-American community represented robustly at every leadership level.

“We at AACI stand resolute in our mission and insist that local businesses, non-profits, and government entities not only recognize this troubling pattern but also act decisively. We expect a commitment to creating a supportive environment that not only invites but retains Black executives, offering them a fair opportunity to succeed and make lasting impacts.

“Dr. Burnette’s premature exit signifies a lost opportunity for Newfields and the community at large. As stakeholders in Indianapolis’ future, we must collectively strive to implement a sustainable model that ensures the longevity and success of Black executives, which in turn reflects the diversity and vitality of our city.

“It is incumbent upon Newfields’ Board of Trustees to not only reflect on the implications of the decision but to also undertake concrete actions that rebuild trust with the Black community—a trust that currently stands fractured. The path forward requires more than symbolic gestures; it necessitates a sincere, ongoing commitment to equity, transparency, and community engagement that transcends mere statements and is embodied in thee very fabric of our institutions’ leadership and governance.

FOOTNOTE: 

Newfields: A Place for Nature & the Arts

Now rich with symbolism and meaning, the materials and formal qualities of fiber art are employed by many women artists today to honor their female ancestors.

Indianapolis Museum of Art Renamed NEWFIELDS

Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrest in Westside ATM Break-in

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A suspect in the August 24, 2023 ATM break-in at Heritage Federal Credit Union has been arrested.

At 4:54 AM on August 24, 2023, the Sheriff’s Office responded to Heritage Federal Credit Union at 5343 Pearl Drive for a hold-up alarm. Upon arrival, deputies found an abandoned Ford pick-up truck that had been used to pull the credit union’s ATM off the pedestal. The ATM had been broken into and the money removed. The truck was later found to have been stolen from Henderson, KY.

The suspects had fled the scene prior to the arrival of the Sheriff’s Office. The Evansville Police Department used a K-9 to track the suspects to the adjacent Buffalo Wild Wings parking lot, but the suspects had fled in a separate vehicle. ATM camera footage showed three suspects wearing gloves and hoodies with their faces covered. Area businesses were canvassed and additional camera footage obtained. A white SUV, possibly a Tahoe, was observed on video to have been moving in tandem with the stolen truck.

With the assistance of the Evansville Police Department and the Flock Safety license plate reader system, the stolen truck was found on camera at two different locations in Evansville earlier in the morning. In each instance, the stolen truck was accompanied by a white Tahoe with no visible license plate. The Tahoe had certain distinguishing characteristics that allowed for a more advanced search using the Flock system. The Tahoe was located on a different Flock camera, this time bearing a Louisiana license plate. Further searching revealed that the Tahoe had left Houston, TX early in the morning of August 23. The Tahoe traveled through St. Louis, MO and was later recorded coming into Evansville that evening. A Flock camera showed the Tahoe in Henderson, KY at 5:13 AM following the theft.

On August 25, the Tahoe was located by a Flock license plate reader camera in Lafayette, LA where it had been flagged as a vehicle of interest through National Crime Information Database. The Lafayette Police Department was able to conduct a traffic stop on the Tahoe. Several cellphones were seized from the Tahoe but nothing was located in the vehicle that tied the occupants to the Vanderburgh County ATM theft. Three occupants, two females from Georgia and one male from Lafayette were questioned and released.

The subsequent investigation led Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office detectives to travel to Decatur, GA and Milledgeville, GA as well as Lafayette, LA in order to conduct interviews. These interviews included persons arrested in Milledgeville, GA on October 7 who were caught in the act of stealing an ATM in the same manner the ATM in Evansville was robbed. Several suspects in custody in that incident are suspects in the case here. Authorities in Georgia advised that ATM theft is considered bank robbery under Georgia law. The investigation led to sufficient probable cause to seek an arrest warrant for Dmyree Martin, age 21, of Katy, TX. In Indiana, breaking into the ATM is only a Level 6 Felony Theft charge. In this case, the charge was enhanceable to Level 5 Felony due to the amount of money taken.

Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force contacted USMS Task Force members in Texas. Martin was located and arrested last week and is currently being housed in the Fort Bend Jail in Richmond, TX on a $7,500 cash bond and awaiting extradition to Vanderburgh County.
Martin is believed to be a member of the Greenheart Gang based in Lafayette, LA. Members of this gang are known to conduct robberies of ATM machines throughout the Southern and Midwestern United States.

Sheriff Noah Robinson stated, “We did not solve this case on our own. The Evansville Police Department’s use of the Flock Safety system to identify our suspect vehicle is what broke the case. I look forward to implementing Flock in the County in the coming months.” Sheriff Robinson added, “I also want to thank the U.S. Marshals Service and local authorities in Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas for their assistance. In particular I wish to acknowledge the Lafayette GA Police Department, who located the suspect vehicle. Prosecutor Diana Moers and the staff of the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office deserve praise for pursuing a high bond level to help ensure our suspect appears in a Vanderburgh County Court.”

To learn more about how to partner with the Sheriff’s Office in bringing Flock Safety to your neighborhood or business, click here.

PICTURED ABOVE: Dmyree Marquel Martin, 21, of Katy, TX. Theft as a Level 5 Felony

Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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Attorney General Todd Rokita selects dedicated defender of liberty, James Barta, as Indiana’s second-ever Solicitor General

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Attorney General Todd Rokita selected constitutional stalwart James Barta from a national pool of top-notch attorneys as Indiana’s new Solicitor General – ensuring the veteran attorney who litigated cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and argued in front of the Indiana Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals, and both federal and state courts – will now work alongside the attorney general as the chief defenders of Indiana law.

Barta is only the second Solicitor General to serve the state of Indiana, a role which oversees litigation involving constitutional challenges and other issues of vital interest to the state government. He graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., where he later taught constitutional theory. He graduated summa cum laude from Patrick Henry College, one of the top Christian conservative schools in the country.

Barta has litigated a wide variety of cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, lower federal courts, and state courts. In a 2021 case before the country’s highest court, Barta helped lead litigation on United States v. Arthrex Inc. – a check on presidential appointment power.

“After a national search, we selected a Hoosier with top credentials and national experience to fill this important role. I know James Barta is the right choice for Indiana,” Attorney General Rokita said. “James is not only brilliant, he is tenacious and excited to represent Hoosiers in this new role before the highest courts of the land.”

Barta clerked for the Honorable Stephen J. Murphy, III, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the Honorable Raymond M. Kethledge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit before joining one of the nation’s top litigation boutique firms in Washington, D.C.   In 2017 through Ziglar v. Abbasi, Barta secured dismissal of a Bivens claim against prison officials who confined foreign nationals detained during 9/11 terrorism investigations. Also in 2017, he successfully challenged federal rules adopted to govern the nation’s largest wholesale capacity market in NRG Power Mktg. LLC v. FERC. Barta in 2018 went on to successfully overturn a ruling which subjected coal ash to overreaching portions of the Clean Water Act as part of Sierra Club v. Virginia Electric & Power Co.

“I am incredibly grateful and humbled by this opportunity to serve my state and my fellow Hoosiers,” Solicitor General Barta said. “Ever since first studying our nation’s history and ideals, I have desired to advance the rule of law, preserve our system of government, and defend Americans’ liberties. It is a privilege to serve those causes in this new role.”

Barta returned to Indiana in 2022 to serve as Indiana’s Deputy Solicitor General and played a leading role in defending the constitutionality of Indiana’s laws regarding sanctuary cities, in protecting Indiana’s statutory scheme on absentee voting, and in defending its requirement for sex offenders to register with the state. Barta has been consistently praised for his creativity, excellent advocacy, and dedication to the preservation of ordered liberty.

200,000 pounds of poultry products donated to Hoosiers this year

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INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 20, 2023) - Today, Gov. Eric Holcomb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb and the Indiana State Poultry Association recognized the generosity of Indiana’s poultry producers at the 76th annual Governor’s Poultry Presentation at the Indiana Statehouse. Over the past year, Indiana poultry farmers and businesses have donated 200,000 pounds of duck, turkey and chicken and 172,000 dozen eggs to Hoosiers in need.

In addition to the 200,000 pounds of poultry protein, Indiana farmers and businesses have donated $340,000 to organizations fighting food insecurity. 

“Hoosier generosity is second to none, and our poultry producers are always quick to assist their neighbors,” said Gov. Holcomb. “It was an honor to be apart of this annual donation event and to recognize these outstanding businesses going above and beyond in their communities.” 

For decades, Indiana’s poultry producers have been working to address food insecurity in their local communities by providing protein to food banks across the state. Some of the main products that were donated over the course of this year include eggs, chicken, duck and turkey.

The strength of Indiana’s poultry sector was also recognized during the ceremony as Indiana is one of the top poultry producing states in the country. According to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service, Indiana ranks No. 1 in duck production, No. 2 in egg production, No. 4 in turkey production and is home to high quality broiler chicken production as well. 

The poultry industry is a substantial economic driver for the state contributing more than $15 billion in total economic activity. Additionally, this sector employs more than 12,500 Hoosiers.

Indiana State Poultry Association (ISPA) members continually give back to their local communities throughout the year. According to ISPA President Becky Joniskan, the large poultry donations come from farming families in small communities across Indiana that these producers call home.

“Indiana’s poultry farmers show their care and concern for the communities within which they operate and to all Hoosiers through their generous donations,” said Joniskan. “Whether through direct financial contributions or donations of eggs, duck, turkey, or chicken products, they model the spirit of giving throughout the year, and especially at Thanksgiving.”

Today’s items on display were donated to Second Helpings, a hunger relief agency, in Indianapolis. This ceremony marks an annual tradition that dates back to the late 1940s. Organized by ISPA, one of the oldest poultry organizations in the nation, it was designed to recognize the strength of Indiana’s poultry industry, as well as the annual donations made by its members, who are responsible for more than 95% of the chicken, duck, turkey and eggs produced in Indiana.

USI upsets Morehead State in first round of OVC Championship

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CHARLESTON, Ill. –University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (15-15, 10-8 OVC) took down No. 4 Morehead State University (18-13, 11-7 OVC) in the opening round of the Ohio Valley Conference Championship, 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-23), at Lantz Arena Monday morning. The Screaming Eagles advance to the semifinal round to face the winner of No. 1 Eastern Illinois University and No. 8 University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
 
USI’s defense stepped up in the opening frame with a 25-18 victory to take an early match lead. The Screaming Eagles jumped out ahead early after senior outside hitter Leah Anderson (Bloomington, Illinois) posted a pair of kills to lead 8-7. Morehead State was able to take a quick lead at 9-8 before USI posted a 7-0 run that flipped the script. The Screaming Eagles’ defense forced six attacking errors while senior outside/right side hitter Abby Bednar (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) added two kills. Even after a Morehead State kill, the Screaming Eagles posted another run, this time a 4-0 surge that put the score at 19-10. Despite being down by as many as 10, Morehead State was able to cut the deficit in half after a 5-0 stint. However, USI was able to clamp down and secure the victory after back-to-back kills from sophomore middle hitter Bianca Anderson (Chicago Heights, Illinois). The Screaming Eagles tallied 11 kills and held Morehead State to eight kills while forcing nine errors.
 
The Screaming Eagles posted a match-high 17 kills and 0.262 hitting percentage to propel past Morehead State with a 25-22 second-set victory. USI went down 5-1 early before a pair of Bednar kills and a few Morehead State attacking errors knotted the match up at six apiece. Even after Morehead State regained the lead, USI posted four straight kills to swing the momentum back. During the surge, a trio of Screaming Eagles recorded a kill including Bednar, Bianca Anderson, and junior setter Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana). Both sides traded blows until a 3-0 run from Morehead State saw USI’s lead dwindle to just one. However, a set-sealing kill from Leah Anderson put the Screaming Eagles on top with a 2-0 match lead.
 
Another solid offensive outing from USI secured the victory in the frame and match, 25-23. Bednar recorded three early kills with junior outside hitter Abby Weber (Fishers, Indiana) tacking on one kill to push the Screaming Eagles’ lead to 6-3. After a Morehead State kill, USI posted a 4-0 run that started with repeating kills from Bianca Anderson. Morehead State returned the favor by scoring seven of the next eight points to tie the set at 11 each. An ace from sophomore libero/defensive specialist Keira Moore (Newburgh, Indiana) and a couple of kills from Leah Anderson put the Screaming Eagles back on top, 15-12. Despite being down, a Morehead State rebuttal swapped the momentum and tied the game at 17. USI stole back the lead and ultimately took the win with the help of seven kills from five different Screaming Eagles to close out the frame. USI tallied 16 kills with just five errors in the set while Morehead State had its best offensive set of the match, recording 13 kills.
 
Bednar led the attack for the Screaming Eagles with 15 kills and a 0.310 hitting percentage while also adding three blocks to the stat sheet. Leah Anderson recorded the lone double-double for USI with 12 kills and 14 digs. Also nabbing double-digit digs was Moore with 17 digs while Sobieralski posted 26 assists and nine digs in the win. Junior middle hitter Paris Downing (Avon, Indiana) pounded down four blocks to lead USI at the net.
 
As a team, the Screaming Eagles had 44 kills, 35 assists, and one ace to pair with 59 digs and five blocks. The Eagles posted 33 kills, 30 assists, and six aces with 53 digs and eight blocks.
 
NEXT UP FOR THE EAGLES:
The Eagles will face the Panthers for the third time this season. EIU holds a 2-0 record against USI this season after taking down the Eagles 3-1 in Evansville and then holding them down 3-2 at Lantz Arena.

Tickets on sale for Christmas at Germania!

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Germania Männerchor invites everyone to get into the Christmas spirit by attending Christmas at Germania on December 1st and 2nd at 7 pm. This annual Evansville tradition of singing and pageantry is open to the public.

The event features both the Germania men’s and ladies’ choirs singing Christmas songs in German and English. Plus, Germania members have written a creative and humorous play set in the ancient German community of Thüringen that they’ll
perform.

And what would a Germania event be without its wonderful food? A pork chop meal including a potato prepared German style, red cabbage, green beans, and a roll is sure to tantalize everyone’s taste buds!  Call 424-9800. Or they can
be purchased online at www.evvgermanclub.com/events.

Eagles go cold in 2nd half, fall to Bison

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LEWISBURG, Pa. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball went cold in the second half lost to Bucknell University, 67-56, in its second game of the Duke Blue Devil Challenge in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The Screaming Eagles are 1-5 after tonight’s action, while the Bison are 2-4 to begin the season.

The Eagles had control of the contest early, using a 14-6 run to take a 13-point advantage, 25-12, with 10:13 left in the opening 20. Junior guard Jordan Tillmon (Pine Bluff, Arkansas) led the USI dash with six of the 14 points.

Bucknell would fight its way back in the final 10 minutes of the first half, closing to within seven at the intermission, 33-26.

The USI three-point shooters were hot in the opening half, hitting seven from long range. Junior forward Jack Mielke (Downers Grove, Illinois) led the hot shooter with four from beyond the arc, reaching a season-high 12 points by the halftime horn.
 
In the second half, Bucknell used an 11-3 run to jump out and front, 37-36, and built an eight-point lead, 46-38, with 10:22 left. USI would rally to knot the game at 48-48 with 6:31 left when sophomore forward Kiyron Powell (Evansville, Indiana) hit a jumper to cap off a 10-0 run.
 
USI’s offense stalled after run as Bucknell exploded on a 13-2 run over four minutes to post a double-digit lead of its own with 2:04 to play. The Eagles would try to rally one last time, cutting the gap to seven points, 61-54, but could get no closer in falling 67-56.
 
After shooting seven-of-15 from long range in the opening half, USI was one-of-13 from the beyond the arc in the second half. The Eagles also lost the battle of the boards in the game, 35-31.
 
Individually, Mielke led the Eagles with a career-high 14 points. He was five-of-10 from the field and four-of-eight from the three-point area. Tillmon followed with 13 points on five-of-12 from the field, including a pair of three-point field goals and a free throw.
 
Next Up For USI:
USI concludes its three-game, nine-day road swing Friday when it visits ninth-ranked Duke University at the Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. The Blue Devils are 3-1 to start the year and host La Salle University Tuesday before welcoming the Eagles to Cameron.
 
The USI-Duke contest will air live on the ACC Network and will be streamed on ESPN+. The game also will be streamed live on ESPN+ and air live on ESPN 97.7FM.
 
Fans can find all of the ways to follow USI Basketball action on the road by visiting USIScreamingEagles.com.