LOUISIVILLE, Ky. – The sixth-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team could not hold a first half lead and fell to second-ranked Bellarmine University, 84-79, Thursday night in Louisville, Kentucky. USI, which was 3-2 during the five-game road swing, falls to 21-4 overall and 13-4 in the GLVC, while Bellarmine goes to 24-1, 17-0 GLVC.
The Screaming Eagles soared out to a 17-7 lead in the first four minutes of the game. USI was blistering from the field during the opening minutes, hitting seven straight field goals.
The Knights battled back and cut the Eagles' lead to one, 24-23, with 7:26 left before halftime. USI rebuilt the lead to seven points three times before settling for a 41-37 advantage at the intermission.
The Eagles were able to maintain their halftime lead through the first five minutes of the second half, but the Knights took their first lead of the game, 51-49, with 14:46 to play. USI stayed close and was able regain the advantage twice, 63-62 and 65-64, with nearly five minutes left.
Bellarmine slipped back into the lead at 66-65 and led the rest of the way. USI, trailing 70-68 and 72-70, had several chances to retake the lead in the final minutes, but were unable to convert.
Individually, USI senior guard #C.J. Trotter# (Hopkinsville, Kentucky) had a game-high 24 points. Trotter, who had 15 points in the first half, was nine-of-17 from the field, including five three-point field goals, and converted his only trip to the free throw line.
Senior forward Nick Duncheon (Montgomery, Indiana) followed Trotter in the scoring column with 12 points, while senior center Mohamed Ntumba (Kinshasa, Congo) and senior guard Kevin Gant (Indianapolis, Indiana) deposited 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
The Eagles conclude 2010-11 regular season Saturday at 3:15 p.m. when they host to 21st-ranked Northern Kentucky University. The Norse are 19-6 overall and 12-5 in the GLVC after losing at the University of Indianapolis, 81-76, this evening.
USI will honor its five seniors – Gant, Duncheon, Trotter, Ntumba, and guard Jared Rehmel (Jasonville, Indiana) – after Saturday's game.
