The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team won its fifth straight with an 86-73 road victory at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Thursday night. USI raises its record to 18-5 overall and 11-4 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, while SIUE falls to 7-15 overall, 3-13 GLVC.

USI controlled most of the first half, building an early 11 points lead at 37-26. SIUE cut the lead to three, 42-39, with a 13-5 run just before halftime. The Cougars kept the momentum in the first minutes of the second half, taking a 44-42 lead.

The Eagles slowly worked their way past the Cougars with small runs to build its largest lead of the game, the final score of 86-73. The key to the game was on the boards as the Eagles outrebounded the Cougars 46-30.

USI was led by sophomore forward Billy Harris (Carbondale, Illinois), leading the Eagles with a double-double, 19 points and 11 rebounds. The 11-rebounds tied a career-high for Harris.

Harris was followed in double figures by senior guard/forward Wes Attebury (Evansville, Indiana) with 17 points senior center Ronnie Griffin (Louisville, Kentucky), 16 points and freshman guard Cris Brunson (Evansville, Indiana), 13 points.

USI will resume Great Lakes Valley Conference action on Saturday, February 9, at Lewis University in a 3 p.m. contest. The Eagles will start their final homestand Thursday, February 14, by hosting Saint Joseph's College in a 7:30 p.m. contest. The team will finish the 2001-02 home schedule on Saturday, February 16, with Senior Night against the University of Indianapolis. Game time against UI will be at 7:30 p.m.