#9 Southern Indiana: 82
#7 Louisville: 77

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball lost its final exhibition game, 82-77, to the University of Louisville Sunday evening in Louisville, Kentucky. USI, ranked ninth in the NABC Division II Top 25, will open the regular home schedule Tuesday at the Physical Activities Center against Robert Morris College at 7:30 p.m.

Louisville is ranked seventh in the AP Division I Top 25.

The Screaming Eagles led by four at halftime, 41-37, leading by as many as six, 12-6, early in the half. USI shot a blistering 61.5 percent from the field (16-26), while holding Louisville to 46.9 percent (15-32).

Louisville started the second half with the hot hand, going on a 12-2 run to begin the half and lead 49-43. The Eagles would battle back with a 13-6 run of their own to retake the lead 56-55 with 9:36 to play.

The Cardinals would retake the 30 seconds later and would never trail again, although USI would tie the game three more times. The last deadlock would come at 70-70 with 3:28 to play in the game.

USI senior forward Chris Thompson (Starke, Florida) led the team in scoring with 17 points, followed by four others in double figures. Junior forward Keith Christmas (Gary, Indiana) was second with 15 points, while senior guard Danny Gibson (Madison, Indiana) dropped in 14 points junior guard Melvin Hall (Evansville, Indiana) added 12 points and junior forward Nick Brooks (Robinson, Illinois) had 11 points.