#8 Southern Indiana (22-3, 11-3 GLVC): 72
Missouri-St. Louis (9-13, 4-10 GLVC): 59
ST. LOUIS, Mo.— The 8th-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team shook off a tough shooting night to defeat the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 72-59, Thursday in St. Louis, Missouri. USI raises its record to 22-3 overall and 11-3 in the GLVC, while UMSL falls to 9-13 overall, 4-10 GLVC.
Despite shooting 37.5 percent (12-32) in the first half, the Screaming Eagles took a 34-23 lead into the locker room at halftime. USI methodically built the lead throughout the first half, leading by as many as 15 points.
USI's shooting improved during the second half, dropping in 52 percent (13-25) of its attempts. The Eagles would post their largest lead of the game, 20 points, twice near the halfway point of the second stanza.
Following the 20-point leads, UMSL cut the USI margin in half, 66-56, with 2:14 to play. The Eagles' defense shut down the Rivermen's offense at that point, allowing just three points in the final two minutes.
Eagles' senior forwardÂ
Nick Brooks (Robinson, Illinois) led the way for USI with 12 points off the bench. Brooks was followed in the scoring column by senior centerÂ
Rashard Sullivan (Miami, Florida) and junior guardÂ
Kenny Page (Indianapolis, Indiana) with 11 points each.
The victory, plus the Quincy University 72-61 loss to Rockhurst University, put USI in sole possession of first place in the GLVC West Division.
The Eagles conclude the road trip Saturday at the University of Missouri-Rolla, which was idle tonight. The Miners, who are 7-15 overall and 2-12 in the GLVC, started their week in the GLVC on Tuesday when they lost to UMSL, 87-81.
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