BOX SCORE: Bellarmine 81, USI 71

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The 2nd-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team could not overcome a 20-points first half deficit to lose at Bellarmine University, 81-71, Saturday night in Louisville, Kentucky. USI falls to 23-3 overall and 14-3 in the GLVC, while Bellarmine goes to 19-8, 12-6 GLVC.

The Knights took control of the game early in the first half when they went on a 20-0 run to lead 23-5. Bellarmine would increase the lead to 20 points, 27-7, before USI started to claw back into the game. The Screaming Eagles cut the margin back to 10 points, 32-22, before the Knights, who were shooting 90 percent at one point during the first half, settled for a 13-point halftime lead, 47-34.

The Eagles sliced the Knights lead to as few as six points, 75-69, with 1:16 to play in the second half, but that would be as close as USI would get. Bellarmine hit five-of-six free throws in the final two minutes to seal the win.

USI had three players score in double figures, led by the 23-point performance of senior guard Jamar Smith (Peoria, Illinois). The senior guard hit three three-point field goals tonight, establishing a new USI single-season record with 104 field goals from long range. The old record of 103 was set by Melvin Hall in 2006-07.

Smith was followed by senior forward Tyrone Bradshaw (Cincinnati, Ohio), who had 17 points, and junior guard Kevin Gant (Indianapolis, Indiana), who had 10 points.

The Eagles conclude the 2009-10 campaign Monday when they host Quincy University for a 7:30 p.m. contest. USI will honor its six seniors at Monday's game. The Hawks fell to 20-6 overall and 11-6 in the GLVC after losing to Lewis University, 69-62.