#1 University of Southern Indiana (12-3, 5-3 GLVC): 80
@ Northern Kentucky University (11-6, 4-3 GLVC): 81

Highland Heights, KY – For the second straight game, the #1-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team spotted the home team a first half lead and then fell short in the final seconds. This time USI stumbled at Northern Kentucky University, 81-80, Saturday afternoon in Highland Heights, Kentucky.

The Screaming Eagles have lost three of their last four and fall to 12-3 overall and 5-3 in the GLVC. NKU goes to 11-6 overall, 4-3 GLVC.

NKU was on fire, shooting nearly 90 percent from the field in the first 10 minutes of the first half, and jumped out to several 10 point leads. The Eagles made a run near the end of the half and went into the locker room down three at halftime, 47-44.

In the second half, USI continued to stay close and took its first lead of the game with 9:15 to play, 67-66. The Eagles, after trading leads, built a four-point margin, 77-73, with 4:43 to play before the Norse went on a 8-2 run to make the score 81-79 with 2.6 seconds to play.

USI had a chance to tie score after senior center John Oden (St. Louis, Missouri) was fouled and went to the line for two shots. He made the first to make the score 81-80, but could not connect on the second to tie the game.

Oden led the Eagles in the scoring column Saturday, dropping in a season-high 31 points. He was joined in double figure scoring by junior guard Cris Brunson (Evansville, Indiana), who had a season-high 16 points with four three-point field goals.

USI returns to the friendly confines of the Physical Activities Center Thursday, January 15, when it hosts Kentucky Wesleyan College for a GLVC doubleheader. The USI-KWC game begins a three-game homestand for the Eagles.