University of Southern Indiana (2-1): 112
Grand Valley State University (1-2): 86

Five players scored in double figures as the 11th ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team recorded an impressive 112-86 victory over Great Lakes regional foe and 23rd ranked Grand Valley State University this afternoon in the consolation game of the Disney Wide World of Sports Division II Tip-off Classic in Orlando, Florida. The Screaming Eagles finish the tournament with a record of 2-1.

The Eagles benefited from a tough half-court defensive performance. "We had four possessions of pressure in the first half, we said 'we are going to lock people down,'" head coach Rick Herdes explained. "We've worked that hard all year.

"It's probably as much my fault yesterday," Herdes continued, "I tried to press maybe too much. We can stop people in a half court situation and they (Wingate) got too many easy baskets against us yesterday and they (Grand Valley State) didn't get those baskets today."

GVSU shot 50 percent from the floor but where limited to 56 shots and forced into 28 turnovers. "They didn't get that many shots," Herdes explained. "We kept them in the game in the first half by sending them to the line."

USI faced foul trouble for the second night in a row as eight players had two fouls in the first half. "I thought we did a nice job with four people out," Herdes said. "You've got to give Mike Arnold (Indianapolis, Indiana) and Travis Farmer (Wadesville, Indiana) some credit. They are the 11th and 12th men on our team.

"Mike Arnold dove on the ball and he did so many things that won't show up on the stat sheet that are unselfish," Herdes continued, "he moved the ball and I thought he did a nice job. And Travis Farmer was just a warrior. He bangs in there, he kept them off the glass, and he did some nice things.

Junior forward Diond're Givens (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) and senior center Ronnie Griffin (Louisville, Kentucky) combined for 26 points in the first half as the Eagles went into the locker room with a 57-40 lead. USI shot 53.8 percent in the first half and forced the Lakers into 19 turnovers in the first period.

In the second half, USI got big performances from senior forward Marlowe Currie (St. Louis, Missouri) and freshman guard Cris Brunson (Evansville, Indiana). Currie scored 16 points in the second period while Brunson 10 of his 18 points in the second half.

"We're coming together and it showed tonight," Herdes explained. "We came with a different focus then we did yesterday."

For the game, Currie and Givens, who were both named to the All-Tournament team, led the Eagles with 22 points and six rebounds while Griffin added 17 points. Sophomore forward Billy Harris (Carbondale, Illinois) tapped in with 11 points and five rebounds. Harris also recorded a game-high four steals.

USI will open its conference schedule Saturday, November 24, at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Game time is set for 3:15 p.m. CST.