EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball finishes the home contest for the 2021 calendar by hosting Loras College for the Bill Joergens Memorial Classic Thursday at Screaming Eagles Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m
Game coverage information for USI Men’s Basketball, including live stats, video, and audio broadcasts, is available on GoUSIEagles.com. The games also can be heard on ESPN 97.7FM and 95.7FM The Spin.
Following the USI-Loras match-up, the Eagles close out the December calendar on the road with visits to Northwood University on December 18 in Midland, Michigan, and Grand Valley State University on December 20 in Allendale, Michigan.
USI Men’s Basketball vs. Loras Quick Notes:
Eagles gets even in the GLVC. USI got even in GLVC play by bouncing back on the road with a 64-52 victory at the University of Illinois Springfield. Junior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) led the Eagles with a double-double, 28 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Mateo Rivera (Indianapolis, Indiana) followed with 11 points as the only other Eagle to reach double-digits.
Polakovich scores a career-high. Junior forward Jacob Polakovich posted a collegiate-career best 28 points in the win over Illinois Springfield. Polakovich’s previous high was 17 points versus Truman State University while playing at the University of Indianapolis.
Rivera moves into the top 25 in scoring. Senior guard Mateo Rivera is tied for 25th in scoring with Jeremy Pearson at 972 career points. Rivera is also four points behind number 24, Josh Price (976).
Eagles doing the job on defense. USI has done the job on defense the last two games, holding the opposition to an average of 60 points and a field goal percentage of 39.4 percent (39-99). The Eagles also have forced 16 turnovers and averaged 7.5 total steals per outing.
USI vs. Loras. The USI-Loras match-up on December 9 will be the first meeting in the history of the two programs in men’s basketball.
Loras in 2021-22. Loras, an NCAA Division III program, is 6-1 to start the year. The DuHawks are considering their game with the Eagles an exhibition game.
Ending 2021 on the road. USI will finish the 2021 calendar on the road when they visit Northwood University on December 18 and Grand Valley State University on December 20.
USI vs. Northwood. USI trails Northwood in the all-time series, 4-1, dating back to 1970. The Eagles lost the first four contests in the series between 1970 and 1972 before posting their first win over the Timberwolves, 89-79, in the 1999 NCAA II Midwest Regional at the Sports Center in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Northwood in 2021-22. The Timberwolves are 3-4 to date in 2021-22, including a win over Illinois Springfield and a loss to UIndy from the GLVC. Northwood opens GLIAC action this week on the road, visiting Saginaw Valley State University (December 9) and Wayne State University (December 11) before hosting USI on December 18.
USI vs. GVSU. USI and GVSU have split the two meetings in the history of the programs in men’s basketball. The Eagles took the first meeting, 112-86, in the 2001 Disney Wide World of Sports Classic in Orlando, Florida, while the Lakers defeated USI in the 2007 NCAA II Midwest Regional at the University of Findlay, 90-83.
GVSU in 2021-22. The Lakers are ranked 24th in the NABC Top 25 poll after posting a 6-1 mark in November and December, including a win over the GLVC’s UIndy, 77-60. GVSU visits Purdue University Northwest (December 9) and Parkside University (December 11) before hosting the Eagles on December 20.
