EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The eighth-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team erased a 16-point first half deficit and went on to defeat Missouri University of Science & Technology, 76-56, Saturday afternoon at the Physical Activities Center. USI, which has won eight straight, raised its record to 13-1 overall and 5-1 in the GLVC, while Missouri S&T fell to 6-7, 2-4 GLVC.

 

The Screaming Eagles spotted the Miners a 16-point advantage in the first 10 minutes of the game before going in a 16-5 run to lead 31-26 by the intermission. USI senior center Mohamed Ntumba (Kinshasa, Congo), led the Eagles' comeback with 12 first half points, while freshman forward Eduardo Gallina (Florianopolis, Brazil) scored five points in the final minute to give USI the lead.

 

The Eagles lit the afterburners in the second half and pulled away from the Miners, outscoring them 45-30 in the final 20 minutes. USI, which shot 54.8 percent in the final half (17-31), extended its halftime lead to as many as 24 points three times near the end of the game.

 

Ntumba led four USI players in double figures, finishing the game with a team-high 14 points. The senior also had seven rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in the win.

 

USI senior guards Kevin Gant (Indianapolis, Indiana) and #C.J. Trotter# (Hopkinsville, Kentucky) followed Ntumba in the scoring column with 11 points each, while senior forward Nick Duncheon (Montgomery, Indiana) dropped in 10 points. Gant also dished out a game-high seven assists.

 

As a team, USI did the job as a team once again on the glass and outrebounded the Miners, 39-28. Junior forward Isaac McClure (Paducah, Kentucky) led the Eagles on the glass with nine rebounds.

 

The Eagles conclude the three-game homestand Thursday when they host the Panthers of Drury University. Game time is 7:30 p.m.