Southern Indiana (22-4, 17-2 GLVC): 70
@Kentucky Wesleyan (15-12, 9-11 GLVC): 54

Box Score

OWENSBORO, Ky. – The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team clinched the GLVC regular season crown outright with a 70-54 victory Thursday evening in Owensboro, Kentucky. USI raises its record to 22-4 overall and 17-2 in the GLVC, while KWC falls to 15-12 overall, 9-11 GLVC.

The Screaming Eagles laid claim to the GLVC crown outright with the victory and the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville loss at the University of Indianapolis Thursday evening.

USI built a 15-point first half lead, 31-16, on the strength of six three-point field goals. Junior guard David Bryant (Louisville, Kentucky) and sophomore forward Geoff Van Winkle (Ferdinand, Indiana) led the way in the first half with a pair of long-range bombs each.

The Panthers made small run shortly before the intermission, but the Screaming Eagles were able to take a 33-24 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, USI would respond to each run made by the Panther offense. KWC was able to cut the USI lead to five on two different occasions before the Eagles' defense would stiffen and extend the margin once again. The largest margin was the 70-54 margin.

USI had three players score in double figures, led by junior forward Chris Thompson (Starke, Florida) with a double-double, 13 points and 12 rebounds. The double-double was the 11th of the season for Thompson.

Thompson was joined in double figures by senior guard Cris Brunson (Evansville, Indiana), who had 12 points, and senior centerReque Newsome (St. Petersburg, Florida), who had 10 points.

USI will complete the regular season at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday evening. Game time is 7 p.m. (CT). The Eagles return to Evansville next week to play in the GLVC Tournament, beginning March 3, Roberts Stadium.