BOX SCORE: USI 114, Urbana 63

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The 11th-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team scored 28 unanswered points as it rolled past Urbana University, 114-63, Saturday afternoon at the Physical Activities Center. USI rises to 10-0 overall, while Urbana falls to 7-6 in 2009-10.

The first half opened with both teams red hot, featuring four lead changes and six ties. The Screaming Eagles and the Blue Knights were a combined 16-of-26 (61.5 percent) in the first 11 minutes and had a tied scored, 22-22, halfway through the half.

USI took the lead for the final time on a three-point field goal by senior guard Jamar Smith (Peoria, Illinois), 25-22, with 8:37 remaining in the opening half. Urbana would hang with USI until 2:54 left in the first half when the Eagles started a 28-0 run that would continue into the second half.

The Eagles went in the locker room with a 44-33 lead at the intermission on a 7-0 run and blew the game open with 21-more unanswered points in the first five minutes of the final half. USI would go on to score 70 points in the final 20 minutes and lead by as many as 53 points with 1:11 left.

Every USI player scored in the game with four reaching double digits. Game-high honors went to Smith, who had 28 points and led the Eagles for the eighth time this season. Senior center Jeron Lewis (Ft Wayne, Indiana) followed Smith in the scoring column with 16 points, while junior center Mohamed Ntumba (Kinshasa, Congo) and senior forward Tyrone Bradshaw (Cincinnati, Ohio) rounded out the double-figure scorers with 12 points and 10 points, respectively.

USI continued to dominate the boards, out rebounding Urbana, 45-33. Lewis had a team-high seven boards to lead the way, while Ntumba was second with six.

The Eagles are off next week for the Christmas holiday, but resume the five-game homestand December 29 when they host Brevard College for a 7:30 p.m. contest.