Evansville, In.:  Behind an incredible 41-save performance from goaltender Cole Ceci, the Thunderbolts succeeded in picking up wins in three consecutive weekends, shutting out the Rivermen 1-0 for Teddy Bear Toss Night at Ford Center on Saturday.  The Thunderbolts’ next home game will be on Friday, December 15^th against the Huntsville Havoc, puck drop at 7:00pm CT.

The only goal of the game came 11:05 into the first period to set off the Thunderbolts’ Teddy Bear Toss, as appropriately it was Bair Gendunov who scored on a Rivermen turnover to put the Thunderbolts ahead, unassisted.  As for the Teddy Bear Toss, early estimates currently count the stuffed animals thrown onto the ice at roughly 2,000, all of which will be given to children in need across the Tri-State in time for the Holidays.  The star of the show was Ceci, who stopped all 41 shots to pick up his first professional shutout and his third win of the season.  Also of note were the Evansville penalty kill units who killed off all five Rivermen power plays, as well as the many Thunderbolts players who chipped into the defensive effort with shot and pass blocks.  The Thunderbolts and Rivermen meet again next Saturday, December 16^th at Ford Center.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball began its three-game homestand from Screaming Eagles Arena with a return to the win column on Saturday afternoon, posting a 72-51 victory against Eastern Michigan University.
 
The Screaming Eagles returned to the .500 mark with a 4-4 record after Saturday’s win to snap a four-game skid. Eastern Michigan dropped to 1-7 after a fifth consecutive loss.
 
Southern Indiana jumped out to a fast start Saturday afternoon, converting at the foul line on two trips and knocking down four jumpers within the first four minutes. USI led 12-4 by the six-minute mark of the opening period. Senior forward Madi Webb (Bedford, Indiana) spearheaded the fast start, connecting on her first three shots for six quick points.
 
The Screaming Eagles’ defense was also active early, forcing seven turnovers by Eastern Michigan in the first quarter. USI held Eastern Michigan scoreless for the last three minutes, leading to a 20-11 advantage for Southern Indiana heading into the second quarter.
 
USI’s momentum from the end of the first quarter carried over into the start of the second period, as USI built a 7-0 run and continued to hold Eastern Michigan scoreless through the eight-minute mark. Southern Indiana extended its lead to 32-15 with four minutes left in the first half after drilling three triples. Two of the three-pointers came from senior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana), who cashed one in from several feet behind the perimeter.
 
The long-range treys kept falling for the Screaming Eagles, as junior guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) crossed into double figures scoring for the sixth straight game with a three of her own. Inside the final minute before halftime, a strong pump fake and drive by Raley gave USI a 37-19 lead at the intermission.
 
Out of the halftime locker room, defenses stood tall to begin the second half, but Southern Indiana went on a 9-0 run to increase its lead to 27 points, 48-21, by the halfway point of the third period. Then Webb joined Raley and Shafford in double figures with a basket.
 
Later on, USI sophomore guard Ali Saunders (Depauw, Indiana) got into a groove, making a three and finishing a second-chance putback. In the back half of the third quarter, Eastern Michigan produced a small run but was quickly quieted after Shafford scorched the net with consecutive makes from beyond the arc. USI carried a 62-33 lead to the fourth quarter, where Eastern Michigan made a push, but Southern Indiana put the final touches on the big victory.
 
For the game, Southern Indiana shot 36.7 percent (22-60) overall and sunk season-highs 10 three-pointers and 18 free throws. USI outrebounded Eastern Michigan, 47-37. Individually, Shafford paced the Screaming Eagles with 21 points, tying a season-high, with five triples and six boards. Raley and Webb also poured in season highs with 15 points apiece. The two each grabbed five rebounds as well. Saunders finished with eight points, five rebounds, and three assists. Redshirt senior guard Addy Blackwell (Bloomington, Indiana) had a solid game with seven points, three assists, and four steals.
 
Southern Indiana’s defense made it a tough afternoon for Eastern Michigan, who was held to 28.6 percent (16-56) shooting and below 25 percent (7-29) from distance. Plus, the Screaming Eagles’ defensive unit forced Eastern Michigan into 18 turnovers. The visiting Eagles from Eastern Michigan had two players score in double digits.
 
USI will be out of game action in the coming week for final exams before welcoming the University of Cincinnati from the Big-12 Conference to Screaming Eagles Arena next Sunday, December 17. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. Next Sunday will also be Family Day with BOGO tickets and a teddy bear toss with Toys for Tots.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball was grounded by Indiana State University, 98-54, Saturday afternoon at the Hulman Center in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Screaming Eagles slide to 2-9 after today’s action, while the Sycamores are 9-1 this season.
 
The first half was rough for the Eagles as the Sycamores bombed USI with 18 first half field goals, eight from long range, and led at halftime, 52-25. USI got scoring from five different players, led by junior guard Jeremiah Hernandez (Chicago, Illinois) with eight points.
 
USI struggled to find any offense in the first five minutes of the second half, starting the final 20 minutes one-of-12 from the field. The Eagles would finish the half 10-of-34 (29.4 percent) and 21-of-58 for the game.
 
Indiana State would post a nearly identical half to the first, outscoring USI, 46-29, in the final 20 minutes.
 
Individually, Hernandez and sophomore guard/forward AJ Smith (Edwardsville, Illinois) led the Eagles in scoring with 16 points and 12 points, respectively. Junior forward Jack Mielke (Downers Grove, Illinois) led USI on the boards with six.   
 
Next Up For USI:
USI will be idle next week before returning to action December 19 when it hosts the University of Saint Francis (Illinois) at Screaming Eagles Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
Saint Francis is 2-4 overall and visiting Indiana University South Bend this afternoon. The Fighting Saints also are scheduled to play an exhibition game at Lewis University December 14 before coming to USI.

The Eagles conclude the non-conference portion of the 2023-24 schedule December 22 when they visit Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. The Salukis, who currently are 6-2 overall, have Austin Peay State University (December 12), Wichita State University (December 16), and North Dakota State University (December 19) on the schedule before hosting the Eagles.