EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball used big runs early to outdistance Loras University, 91-74, Sunday afternoon at Liberty Arena. The Screaming Eagles go to 1-3 in the non-conference schedule, while Loras is 2-1.
USI exploded after the opening tip, flying out to an 11-0 lead before three minutes were gone in the game. The Eagles connected on their first four shots, including three-pointers by senior guard Ismail Habib, senior guard/forward Steven Clay, and junior guard Kaden Brown. Senior forward Ola Ajiboye added a dunk to complete the scoring during the run.
The offensive explosion would continue to a 27-point advantage when Clay connected on his third three-pointer of the half to give the Eagles a 30-13 margin. The advantage would expand to as many as 21 points (37-16) before USI settled for a 44-29 halftime lead.
Habib and Clay dominated during the opening half with both reaching double-digits before the intermission. Habib had 16 points on a blistering five-of-seven from the field, four-of-six from beyond the arc, and two-of-three from the stripe. Clay followed with 10 points on a perfect three-of-three from the field, all three-pointers, and one-of-two from the line.
USI maintained the first-half margin during the final 20 minutes, leading once by 20 points (91-71) and by 19 points five times in cruising to the 91-74 final. Senior guard Trey Thomas led the way with a team-best 18 points during the second half.
Overall in the scoring column, Habib led USI with 21 points by adding five more in the second half. He finished the game six-of-nine from the field, five-of-eight from long range, and four-of-five from the line.
Thomas followed with 20 points, while Clay and junior forward Tolu Samuels rounded out the double-digit scorers with 13 points and 11 points, respectively.
Next Up For USI:
USI is on the road for its next two contests, playing in the Boardwalk Battle in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Screaming Eagles are slated to open the tournament against the University of the Incarnate Word Thursday at 11:30 a.m. (CT) and either the University of Illinois Chicago or High Point University Saturday. Game time on Saturday is 4 p.m. (CT) for the consolation bracket and 6 p.m. (CT) for the championship.
UIW has started the season 2-1 and is playing Indiana University at 4:30 p.m. (CT). The Cardinals opened the year with a 98-64 loss to Colorado State University before posting wins over Jarvis Christian University, 104-60, and Southwestern Christian University, 109-70.
UIC is 3-1 overall after starting the year with a win and has won its last two outings. High Point is also 3-1 in 2025-26, starting the year with a three-game winning streak and falling in its last outing, and plays Canisius University Monday before traveling to Daytona Beach.
USI’s game with UIW and potential game with UIC or High Point will be the first meeting all-time in the history of the program.
