BOX SCORE: USI 89, UMD 52 | Photo Gallery
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The University of Southern Indiana completed a sweep of its two games in the Bill Joergens Memorial Tournament with an 89-52 victory over the University of Minnesota Duluth Saturday evening at the Physical Activities Center. USI goes to 4-0 on the young season and the six-game homestand, while UMD falls to 2-4 in 2009-10.
The USI defense set the tone for the contest by holding UMD to just one point in the first six minutes of the game while jumping out to a 17-1 lead. The Screaming Eagles would push the margin to 24 points before going into the locker room with a 22 point advantage, 37-15, at the intermission.
In the second half, the Eagles' offense took over and outscored the Bulldogs, 52-37. The 15-point second half advantage gave USI its largest lead of the game and the final score of 89-52.
USI junior forward #C.J. Trotter# (Hopkinsville, Kentucky) led the way in the scoring column with a season-best 17 points. He was a blistering seven-of-nine from the field, including three-of-four from beyond the three-point arc.
Trotter was followed in the scoring column by senior guard Jamar Smith (Peoria, Illinois), who dropped in 13 of his 15 points in the second half. USI senior center Jeron Lewis (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) and junior center Mohamed Ntumba (Kinshasa, Congo) rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points each.
Eagles' junior guard Kevin Gant (Indianapolis, Indiana) helped USI to a 51.3 percent shooting percentage (39-76) with a career-high eight assists.
In addition to a strong defensive effort, USI controlled the glass with a 46-25 rebound advantage. Junior forward Nick Duncheon (Montgomery, Indiana) led the Eagles' effort with eight rebounds.
The Eagles start GLVC play at home next week when Bellarmine and Northern Kentucky University come to the PAC on Thursday and Saturday. Tip-off for the USI-Bellarmine match-up is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, while the USI-NKU showdown is set for 3:15 p.m. Saturday.
Bellarmine, which is ranked seventh nationally, raised its record to 4-1 overall with a 79-66 win over Michigan Tech University to open Saturday's action at the PAC.
