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Score: USI 80, WJC 71

LIBERTY, Mo. – The seventh-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team sank 9-of-10 free throws in the final minute to hold off William Jewell College, 80-71, Thursday night in Liberty, Missouri. USI rises to 12-1 at the halfway point in the season and 4-1 in the GLVC, while WJC goes to 4-7, 1-4 GLVC.
 
The first half started slow for the Screaming Eagles, shooting only 28 percent (6-22) through the first 16 minutes of the contest as they trailed by 10 points, 26-16. USI caught fire in the final four minutes of the half and went on a 14-3 run to lead at the intermission, 30-29.
 
After the Cardinals took back the lead with the opening basket of the second half, USI sophomore forward Taylor Wischmeier (Brownstown, Indiana) scored 10 points on five straight buckets in a 14-0 Eagles' run that resulted in a 43-32 lead with 15:23 to play. WJC cut the lead to five points, 43-38, before USI methodically rebuilt the margin to 16 points, 67-51, with 3:18 remaining.  
 
The Cardinals did not go quietly as they chipped away at the Eagles' lead and got as close as five points, 76-71, with 25 seconds left. USI scored its last 13 points from the line with senior guard Brandon Hogg (Edwardsville, Illinois); sophomore guard Lawrence Thomas (Springfield, Illinois); senior forward Isaac McClure (Paducah, Kentucky); junior guard Kenyon Smith (Chicago, Illinois); and senior forward Romaric Lasme (Port Gentil Gabon) combining to hit the 9-of-10 from the stripe in the final minute.
 
Individually, Hogg led the Eagles in the scoring column with 25 points on 8-of-16 from the field, including three three-point field goals, and 6-of-9 from the line. McClure followed with 17 points, hitting 7-of-10 from the field, while Wischmeier rounded out the double-figure scorers with 14 points.
 
The Eagles conclude the two-game road swing Saturday at 3:15 p.m. when they visit Rockhurst University. The Hawks went to 5-7 overall and 2-2 in the GLVC after dropping a 93-62 decision to second-ranked Kentucky Wesleyan College this evening.
 
USI returns to the friendly surroundings of the Physical Activities Center to start a three-game homestand, beginning Monday at 7:30 p.m. against KWC. USI fans are encouraged to wear white and “white out the PAC.”