#9 Southern Indiana (3-0): 90
Columbus State (2-1): 86

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – University of Southern Indiana senior forward Chris Thompson (Starke, Florida) led the Screaming Eagles to its second Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic with a 90-86 victory over Columbus State University Sunday evening at Disney's Wide World of Sports. USI finishes the weekend 3-0, while CSU falls to 2-1.

The Eagles won the inaugural Division II Tip-Off Classic in 1997.

Thompson was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after posting his third straight double-double 18 points and 14 rebounds. The Florida native averaged 22.7 ppg and 12.3 rpg in the three games.

Eagles' junior guard Melvin Hall (Evansville, Indiana) joined Thompson on the All-Tournament team after scoring 16 points in the championship game. Hall's three-point field goal with 7:14 to play gave USI the lead for good during an 11-2 run that would give the Eagles an 83-75 lead. The eight-point margin would be the largest of the game for USI.

USI, ranked ninth nationally, trailed at halftime, 50-47, after sophomore forward Jeff Tarver hit one of CSU's 10 three-point field goal with one second left and despite shooting 69.0 percent from the field (20-29). Hall led the Eagles with 11 points in the opening stanza.

The Eagles would allow just three field goals from long range in the second half and held the Cougars to just 36.1 percent from the field (13-36). USI continued to have the hot hand in the second half, shooting 52.9 percent from the field (18-34).

In addition to Thompson and Hall, junior forwards Keith Christmas (Gary, Indiana) and Nick Brooks (Robinson, Illinois) recorded 15 points each. Senior guard Danny Gibson (Madison, Indiana) rounded out the double figure scorers with 12 points.

The Eagles resumes is exhibition schedule November 20 at the University of Louisville. USI picks up the regular season schedule November 22 when it plays Robert Morris College for the 2005-06 home opener at the Physical Activities Center.