The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team held off a late charge by Henderson State University to win its second game of the year, 79-70, at the Physical Activities Center Tuesday evening. USI is 2-0 overall, while HSU falls to 4-2 in 2002-03.

The Screaming Eagles, who led at halftime 32-25, built two 17-point leads with nine minutes to play in the game before the Reddies made their final push. HSU got the lead down to four points, 68-64, with a 12-0 run with just under four minutes to play in the game.

The Eagles made a strong defensive stand, limiting the Reddies to just four points in the final two minutes and hit seven of eight free throws to ice the game, 79-70.

USI had three players hit for double figures, led in the scoring column by senior forward Diond're Givens' (Mt. Vernon, ndiana) 16 points. Junior center Ronald Roundtree (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) followed Givens with a double-double, 13 points and 13 rebounds, while sophomore guard Cris Brunson (Evansville, Indiana) matched Roundtree with 13 points.

The Screaming Eagles will have to prepare over the Thanksgiving holidays for their next opponent because it will not be a piece of cake. USI opens the Great Lakes Valley Conference schedule on the road against Kentucky Wesleyan College Saturday, November 30, at 7:30 p.m. The Panthers have been in the last five NCAA Division II Championships games, finishing as the runner-up in 2002.

The next home game for the Eagles will be a GLVC match-up with the University of Indianapolis Thursday, December 5, at PAC Arena. Game time will be 7:30 p.m.