Olivet Nazarene (2-2): 70
#1 Southern Indiana (1-0): 97

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team opened the 2004-05 campaign with a victory, defeating Olivet Nazarene University, 97-70, Monday evening at the Physical Activities Center. The Screaming Eagles begin the year 1-0 for the 19th straight year.

After falling behind 10-6 in the opening minutes of the game, USI used a 12-0 to take the lead for good at 18-10 and took a 47-28 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Eagles led by as many as 21 points twice during the first half.

USI continued to build upon its lead in the second half, widening the margin to as many as 30 points. The Eagles controlled the boards, out-rebounding ONU, 48-35, and caused the Tigers to turn the ball over 26 times.

Individually, USI was led by junior forward Chris Thompson (Starke, Florida). Thompson posted a double-double in his first regular season game for the Eagles, recording 28 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Thompson was followed in the scoring column by junior forward Stacy Pearson (Miami, Florida)with 14 points, while junior guard Danny Gibson (Madison, Indiana) and senior forward Reque Newsome (St. Petersburg, Florida) added 13 points and 12 points, respectively.

Pearson also followed Thompson on the glass, grabbing eight rebounds.

The Eagles resume action with their first road trip of the 2004-05 regular season, traveling to Florence, Alabama, to play the University of North Alabama Saturday at noon. The noon start time is a change from the originally scheduled start time.