The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team lost the battle at the free throw line, dropping a 73-61 decision to #1 Kentucky Wesleyan College at the Sportscenter Saturday night. USI falls to 2-1 overall, 0-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference, while KWC goes to 2-0, 0-1 GLVC.

The Screaming Eagles held the Panthers without a bucket in the final 7:30, but KWC was able to score 17 points from the free throw line. The Panthers were 33-43 from the line, while the Eagles were only eight of eight.

With the score 54-44 in the second half, USI used a 9-2 run to pull within three, 56-53. The Panther responded by holding the Eagles to eight points while hitting 17 of 20 from the line.

USI was led by senior forward Diond're Givens (Mt. Vernon, Indiana), who was the only Eagle to score in double figures with 19 points. Junior forward Billy Harris (Carbondale, Illinois) led the Eagles on the boards with 11 rebounds.

The next action for the Eagles will be Monday, December 2, at Bellarmine University. Game time in Louisville, Kentucky, is 7 p.m. (CT). The Eagles will return home on Thursday, December 5, when they host the University of Indianapolis in a 7:30 p.m. contest at the Physical Activities Center.