EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team defeated Southwest Minnesota State University, 61-51, Saturday evening in the first round of the Bill Joergens Memorial Tournament at the Physical Activities Center. USI gets back on track and raises its record to 2-1, while SMSU falls to 2-1.

In the first half, the squads played to a 12-12 tie through the first eight minutes of the game before USI used a 10-2 run to separate itself from SMSU. The Screaming Eagles would build the lead to as many as 11 points, 29-18, in the opening half and settled for a nine-point margin, 29-20, at the intermission.

The Eagles began the second half with a 10-3 run to build their largest lead of the game, 39-23. The Mustangs made a run at the Eagles in the final 10 minutes, twice cutting the lead to one point.

With a 50-49 lead, USI retook control of the game with a 7-0 run that boosted the lead to 57-49. The Eagles would get the lead back to double-digits in the final minute for the 61-51 win.

USI senior forward Norman Plummer (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the team for a third straight game and recorded his third straight double-double as an Eagle. Plummer deposited a game-high 19 points and grabbed a game-best 12 rebounds.

Eagles' junior forward Anthony Pimble (Bronx, NY) followed Plummer with 13 points and had a game-high four steals. USI senior guard Tyson Schnitker (Robinson, Illinois) and sophomore guard Darren Cloud (Evansville, Indiana) also reached double figures in scoring with 11 points and 10 points, respectively.

USI finishes play in the Bill Joergens Memorial Tournament by playing fourth-ranked Northwest Missouri State University Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. The Bearcats increased their record to 4-0 with a 67-60 victory over Bellarmine University.

Bellarmine, who is 3-1, plays SMSU at 5:15 p.m. Friday in the final round of the tournament.