Watson wins number 100
 
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SCORE: USI 92, KSU 69

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana senior forward Aaron Nelson (Chicago Heights, Illinois) scored a game-high 31 points and grabbed a single-game record 27 rebounds in leading the Screaming Eagles to a 92-69 victory over Kentucky State University Saturday afternoon in the Physical Activities Center. USI rises to 5-0 overall, while KSU goes to 1-4 in 2013-14.
 
Nelson dominated the game from start to finish, posting 11 points and 15 rebounds in the first half and 20 points and 12 rebounds in the final 20 minutes. The senior's 27 rebounds broke at the nearly 40-year old USI mark that was set by Ralph Schickel on February 2, 1974, against Purdue University North Central.
 
For the game, Nelson was 13-of-21 (.619) from the field and five-of-seven (.714) from the charity stripe. He also blocked a shot, dished out an assist, and made two steals.
 
In addition to Nelson's record-setting night, USI Head Coach Rodney Watson picked up win number 100 at USI. Watson ranks fourth all-time at USI in victories and is the fourth USI head coach to reach 100 wins.
 
The game was tight through the first five minutes before USI took command with a 17-6 run. The Eagles finished the first stanza with a 17-point lead and took the 41-24 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
 
In the second half, USI extended the lead to as many as 25 points in the final minute, 92-67, before settling for the 92-69 final.
 
Along with Nelson, the Eagles had three players score in double-figures. Junior guard/forward Alex Marzette (Racine, Wisconsin) followed Nelson with season-high 18 points, while senior guard Lawrence Thomas (Springfield, Illinois) rounded out the double-digit scorers with a season-best 17 points.
 
The Eagles fly away from the friendly surroundings of the Physical Activities Center next week when they play in the Fern Valley Hotel Classic, hosted by Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. USI is slated to play Ohio Valley University December 13 and Virginia Union University, December 14. Game times each day are 4 p.m. (CST).
 
The next home game for USI is December 21 when the Eagles host Kentucky Wesleyan College for their final non-conference game of the season.