USI opens Bill Joergens Memorial Classic with a win

Day 1 Bill Joergens Memorial Classic 
Game 1: Bellarmine 92, Philander Smith 69
Box Score (HTML)

Game 2: USI 70, UVA-Wise 51
Box Score (Sortable); Box Score (HTML)

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The ninth-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team cruised to a 70-51 victory over the University of Virginia at Wise on the first evening of the sixth-annual Bill Joergens Memorial Classic Friday night at the Physical Activities Center. USI sees its record rise to 3-0, while UVA-Wise goes to 3-5 in 2012-13.
 
The Screaming Eagles took command five minutes into the contest when they went on a 16-0 run and held the Cavaliers scoreless for 11 minutes, turning a slim 9-7 margin into a 25-7 advantage. USI was led during the run by junior guard Lawrence Thomas (Springfield, Illinois), who had five of his 10 points during the spurt.
 
The Eagles eventually pushed the first half lead to as many as 23 points twice, including the 35-12 halftime advantage.
 
In the second half, USI increased its lead to 28 points twice (42-14 and 45-17) before setting the cruise control for the final 16 minutes of the contest. The Cavaliers tried to chip away at the deficit, closing to within 19 points, 61-42, with 5:59 remaining; but junior guard Ben Jones (Robinson, Illinois) scored five of his career-high tying 11 points in a 7-0 run that re-extended the Eagles' lead to 26 points, 68-42, with 4:09 left.
 
The Eagles had a very balanced offensive attack against the Cavaliers with 10 players scoring in the contest and their bench outscoring UVA-Wise, 37-9.
 
On the glass, USI once again dominated and outrebounded UVA-Wise, 51-33. Junior forward Manny Ogunfolu (Rockville, Maryland) led the Eagle rebounders with a season-high 12 boards, while junior forward Aaron Nelson (Chicago Heights, Illinois) reached double-digits with 11 rebounds.
 
USI continues play in the Bill Joergens Memorial Classic at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow night when it takes on Philander Smith College. The Panthers saw their record go to 4-3 after falling, 92-69, to fifth-ranked Bellarmine University in the opening game. Bellarmine also rose to 3-0 this evening
 
Following Saturday's action, the Eagles will be idle until December 8 when they conclude the five-game homestand against Notre Dame College (Ohio). Game time is a special 8 p.m. tip-off following USI Winter Commencement.