EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball capped off a successful homestand with an 80-66 win over the University of Tennessee at Martin Saturday evening at Screaming Eagles Arena. The Screaming Eagles, who were 2-1 on the homestand, go to 10-9 overall and 3-3 in the OVC, while Skyhawks are 11-8, 3-3 OVC.
USI took command in the first six minutes with a trio of eight-point leads, including an 8-0 explosion to open the game. UT Martin would put together a string of buckets to close the gap to one point at 14-13 and 17-16.
The Eagles took back the momentum with a 14-2 run after the 10-minute mark, hitting five-of-seven from the field to lead 31-18 with 6:56 left in the half. USI’s defense also played a big part of the run, holding UT Martin without a field goal for five minutes.
USI, whose largest lead of the half was 14 points (35-21), had to settle for a 39-29 margin at the break. Senior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) paced the Eagles in the opening 20 minutes with 16 points on eight-of-10 from the field.
While the first half belonged to Polakovich, USI sophomore guard Isaiah Swope (Newburgh, Indiana) dominated the second. Swope dropped in 14 points second-half points on four-of-five from the field, two-of-three from long range, and was near perfect at the line, going four-of-five.
Swope’s second-half production would help USI maintain the double-digit lead throughout the final 20 minutes, increasing it to as many as 18 points, 80-62, with 1:13 to play. UT Martin would get the final four points of the game before USI closed out the 80-66 final.
As a team, USI dominated the boards for the second-straight game, outrebounding UT Martin, 43-33 overall and 31-10 on the defensive glass.
The Eagles had three players in double-digits on the scoreboard, led by the 21-point effort by Swope. Swope was seven-of-11 for the game from the field, three-of-six from beyond the arc, and four-of-five from the line. He also tied for the team-high with four assists.
Polakovich added three second-half points and finished with 19 points in addition to completing his seventh double-double of the year with a game-high 12 rebounds. Senior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14 points, scoring nine in the second half.
Next Up For USI:
USI hits the road next week when it travels to Lindenwood University on January 19 and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on January 21 for OVC action. Game time Thursday at Lindenwood in St. Charles, Missouri, is set for 8 p.m., while tipoff Saturday at SIUE in Edwardsville, Illinois is set for 3:30 p.m.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ in addition to being heard on ESPN 97.7FM and 95.7FM The Spin.
Lindenwood saw its record go to 7-12 overall and 2-4 in the OVC after falling at SIUE today, 68-58. SIUE, who will entertain Morehead State University Thursday before hosting USI next Saturday, saw its record go to 14-5 overall and an OVC leading 5-1.
Lindenwood was led in Saturday’s contest by senior guard Brandon Trimble and junior forward Keenan Cole, who had 12 points each, while SIUE was paced by sophomore guard Ray’Sean Taylor with 18 points.
USI leads the all-time series and conference matchups with Lindenwood, 4-0, since the Lions joined the Eagles in the GLVC in 2020. The Eagles took both GLVC games last season from the Lions, 70-56, on the road and 77-70 in overtime at home.
The Eagles have an all-time series lead over the SIUE Cougars, 44-21, and starting in 1971-72. SIUE, however, has won the last two matchups, including the January 7 meeting in OVC action at Screaming Eagles Arena, 69-62. USI also holds a 15-12 series lead in games played at SIUE.
