@Southern Indiana (12-4, 8-2 GLVC): 61
#5 SIU Edwardsville (15-3, 8-1 GLVC): 60

EVANSVILLE, Ind. –The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team withstood a final challenge by fifth-ranked Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to win 61-60 Thursday evening at the Physical Activities Center. USI goes to 12-4 overall and 8-2 in the GLVC, while SIUE goes to 15-3 overall, 8-1 GLVC.

USI is a perfect 9-0 at the PAC in 2004-05 and has won 18 straight at the home since the middle of last season.

The Screaming Eagles led throughout the game after posting a 7-0 run to begin the first half and had a 31-28 lead at the intermission. USI shot 51.9 percent from the field in the first stanza (14-27), while holding the Cougars to just 37.0 percent from outside (10-27).

In the second half, USI continued to build the lead only to have the Cougars push their way back into the game. The Eagles led by as many as 10 points, 53-43, with 6:52 to play when SIUE made their final run.

The Cougars outscored the Eagles 14-7 in the next four minutes to pull within three points twice in the final two minutes. USI senior guard Cris Brunson (Evansville, Indiana) sealed the victory by hitting three of four free throws down the stretch and give USI a 61-57 lead with seven seconds to play. The Cougars got back to within one point, 61-60, on a three-point field goal by freshman guard Anthony Jones with one second to play before USI ran out the final second.

Eagles' senior forward/center Randy Holbrook (St. Louis, Missouri) led the team in scoring with 16 points, while Brunson finished the game with 14 points. Senior center Reque Newsome (St. Petersburg, Florida) and sophomore forward Geoff Van Winkle (Ferdinand, Indiana) led the Eagles on the boards with eight and seven rebounds, respectively.

USI resumes GLVC action and the homestand Saturday when it hosts Quincy University for a 3:15 p.m. contest. Quincy won 87-76 at the University of Missouri-St. Louis tonight and is 10-6 overall, 6-4 GLVC.