@University of Southern Indiana: 116
Tornatta Stars: 82

EVANSVILLE, IN—The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team opened its 2002-03 exhibition season Saturday night at the Physical Activities Center with an offensive explosion. Five players scored in double figures as the Screaming Eagles downed the Tornatta Stars 116-82.

Trailing by three early in the game, the Eagles went on a 14-4 run to take control of the contest. USI used a 13-0 run later in the first stanza to take a commanding 55-30 lead.

USI shot 49 percent in the first period and connected on nine three-point buckets as it went into half-time with a 62-40 lead. The Eagles controlled the boards and the turnover battle as they rang up 30 rebounds and forced 15 turnovers while allowing just 22 boards and coughing the ball up 10 times.

The Eagles simmered down a bit from the floor in the second half but connected on 11 of 14 shots from the charity stripe to make up for the cooler shooting. USI shot 43.5 percent from floor and connected on just three shots from behind the arc.

USI also out-rebounded the Stars in the second frame, collecting 31 boards to the opposition's 17.

Senior forward Diond're Givens (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) and junior forward Clarence Chillers (Chicago, Illinois) led the Eagles with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Chillers pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

USI also received offensive support from sophomore guard Cris Brunson (Evansville, Indiana) and sophomore forward Dennis Coutee (Jeffersonville, Indiana). Brunson tapped in with 17 points while Coutee dished in 16 points and five assists. Junior forward Billy Harris (Carbondale, Illinois) added 14 points and 9 boards while senior guard David Ragland (Evansville, Indiana) posted a game-high 6 assists.

The Stars were led by a trio of former USI standouts. Wes Attebury ('02) poured in a game-high 32 points and collected a team-high 8 boards while Brian Huebner ('95) and Kimon Green ('01) added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Green had a game-high 5 blocks.

USI will finish its exhibition schedule next Saturday, November 16, as it hosts the Akron Wingfoots in a 7:30 p.m. contest at the PAC. The Eagles will open the regular season Saturday, November 23, as it plays host to Wilberforce University.