The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team built a 24-point lead at intermission and held off a late charging Saint Joseph's College for a 100-83 victory Saturday afternoon at the Physical Activities Center. USI's record goes to 4-2 overall, 2-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, while SJC falls to 2-5 overall, 2-2 GLVC.

The Screaming Eagles never trailed in the game, building the lead to 62-38 at halftime. The Eagles used runs of 25-8 to get the lead to 17 points with 7:15 to play in the half and 23-16 for a 24-point margin at the break.

The second half saw the Pumas eat into the Eagles lead, getting it down to 11 points, 94-83, with 1:22 to play. The USI defense held firm in the final minute and used a final 6-0 run for the final score of 100-83.

USI senior forward Diond're Givens (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) led five players who scored in double figures with 21 points. Junior guard Cris Brunson (Evansville, Indiana) followed Givens with 18 points, while junior forward Dennis Coutee (Jeffersonsville, Indiana) had 13 points. Junior center Reque Newsome (St. Petersburg, Florida) posted his first double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while senior guard David Ragland (Evansville, Indiana) matched Newsome with 11 points of his own.

The Eagles will trade the home floor for a neutral floor next weekend when they travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, and the High Desert Classic Saturday and Sunday, December 14-15. USI will play Western Washington University Saturday at 7 p.m. (CT) and Washburn University Sunday at 4:30 p.m. (CT).

The next home game for USI will be Wednesday, December 18, against Oakland City University.