The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team exploded past the Bellarmine University Knights to win 103-56 in Louisville, Kentucky, Thursday night. USI raises its record to 21-6 overall and 14-5 Great Lakes Valley Conference, while Bellarmine falls to 11-14 overall, 8-11 GLVC.

The Screaming Eagles outscored the Knights in the first half 51-22 and outrebounded them 30-9 to dominate the half. The Eagles maintained the lead in the second half, outscoring Bellarmine 52-34.

The 22-points allowed in the first half and the 47-point margin of victory was a season-bests for the Eagles.

The victory brings USI Head Coach Rick Herdes to within one win of tying the USI record for wins in a season and a record for wins in the regular season by a first year head coach. Bruce Pearl set the mark in 1992-93 when USI was 22-7 overall, 21-6 in the regular season. USI hosted its first ever NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional in 1992-93, losing in the first round and winning the consolation game.

The Eagles were led on the floor tonight by junior forward Diond're Givens (Mt. Vernon, Indiana), who had 18 points. Sophomore forward Billy Harris (Carbondale, Illinois) and freshman guard Cris Brunson (Evansville, Indiana) followed Givens with 15 points each. Senior center Ronnie Griffin (Louisville, Kentucky), who scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and senior center Kevin Robinson (Largo, Maryland), who had 10 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks, finished up the double figure scorers for USI.

USI will finish the regular season Saturday, February 23, at the Sportscenter in Owensboro, Kentucky, against number-one ranked Kentucky Wesleyan College. The Eagles may need a win at KWC to earn the number two seed. The Eagles and Northern Kentucky University will enter their final games tied at 14-5 in the GLVC, while Lewis was 13-5 going into its game with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside on Thursday. USI has the tie-breaker over both teams by virtue of defeating KWC back in January.