SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team took seventh-ranked Drury University to the brink, but fell on the road, 61-56, Thursday evening in Springfield, Missouri. USI falls to 10-8 overall and 4-6 in the GLVC, while Drury goes to 16-2 overall, 9-1 GLVC.

The Screaming Eagles overcame a pair of seven-point deficits in the first five minutes of the game to lead by the intermission, 29-26. USI had its best shooting half in four games, hitting 52.2 percent from the field (12-23).

After halftime, Drury came out fast and outscored USI, 19-7, to lead 47-36 with 10:19 to play. The 11-point lead would the largest by either squad in the game.

The Eagles battled back in the final 10 minutes, cutting the double-digit margin to two points, 53-51, with 4:18 to play. The two-point deficit would be as close as USI would get in the final minutes. USI had several chances in the final two minutes, only to see its shot at the GLVC West's top team go off the side of the rim.

USI was led by the career-performance of senior guard Tyson Schnitker (Robinson, Illinois). He dropped in a career-high 30 points, scoring 19 in the second half. Schnitker's previous career-best point total came in 2005-06 when he recorded 24 points against Southern Illinois University as an Indiana State Sycamore.

Although he was held to just four point tonight, USI senior forward/center Norman Plummer (Cincinnati, Ohio) made his presence known on the board with a team-high 10 rebounds. Plummer also recorded a season-best five steals.

The Eagles, who despite the loss remain in sole possession of second place in the GLVC West, conclude the two-game road swing at Rockhurst University Saturday at 3 p.m. Rockhurst, which fell to 7-11 overall and 3-7 in the GLVC after losing at home to Kentucky Wesleyan College, 77-71, remained a game behind USI and tied for third in the West with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.