COMPLETE USI GAME NOTES
 
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 22^nd-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team celebrates homecoming week by hosting a pair of Great Lakes Valley Conference games. USI starts the festivities by hosting Maryville University (11-9, 5-7 GLVC) Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. and the University of Missouri-St. Louis (13-8, 7-6 GLVC) for the homecoming game Saturday at 3:15 p.m.
 
Game coverage for the seventh week of GLVC action, including live stats, audio, and video links, is available at gousieagles.com. The USI games also can be heard on ESPN 106.7FM and WPSR 90.7FM.
 
In addition to homecoming, USI also has several special promotions Thursday and Saturday. Thursday evening versus Maryville, the Eagles will recognize veterans and military personnel with an appreciation night and will partner with Deaconess Hospital to promote heart health awareness.
 
Along with the homecoming festivities on Saturday, the men's basketball team will help the women's basketball team with its annual Play4K game to promote breast cancer awareness.
 
The Eagles (17-4, 9-4 GLVC) split last week on the road, falling in overtime to Truman State University, 71-68, and defeating Quincy University, 96-69. USI was led during the road trip by senior forward Orlando Rutledge (Louisville, Kentucky), who posted 23.0 points per game for the second straight week.
 
After the 1-1 week, the Eagles fell seven spots to 22^nd in the NABC/Division II Top 25 poll. The Eagles were joined in the top 25 by Drury University (second), the University of Indianapolis (fifth), the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (16^th), and Lewis University (19^th).
 
USI Men's Basketball notes versus Maryville and Missouri-St. Louis:

USI in the GLVC. The Eagles, currently, are in fourth place in the GLVC East Division and still in the hunt for an automatic berth in the GLVC Tournament quarterfinals. The top two teams in the division automatically advance to the Ford Center and the quarterfinals. USI is one game out of third, two-games out of second, and three-games out of first with five games left in the regular season.

Eagles get back on the right road. USI got back on the right path on the road with its 96-69 victory over Quincy University, breaking its three-game road losing streak. The streak had been extended to three games after USI lost in overtime to Truman State University, 71-68.

USI's leaders last week. Senior forward Orlando Rutledge led the Eagles for a second-straight week in scoring with 23.0 points per game, while senior forward Aaron Nelson followed with 15.5 points and a team-best 12.0 rebounds per contest. Senior guard Lawrence Thomas followed the duo with 13.0 point per outing, while junior guard Gavin Schumann rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11.5 point per appearance.

Thomas becoming a force. Senior guard Lawrence Thomas has been a force for the Eagles over the last six games. Thomas is averaging 13.9 points during his last eight starts, three points better than his season average. He also has moved into the lead in the GLVC in three-point field goal percentage (.532, 33-62).

Thomas shooting for 1,000. Senior guard Lawrence Thomas has 865 career points and could have a shot a 1,000 career points if the Eagles travel far into the post-season.

Watson's Eagles dominate the glass. The Eagles have won the rebounding battle in all 34 games this season and have outrebounded their opponents in 123 of 140 games since Head Coach Rodney Watson took the helm in 2009-10.

Eagles finish with the GLVC West. USI plays its final regular-season game with teams in the GLVC West this week. The Eagles are 4-2 against the West, going into this week's action.

Maryville in 2013-14. The Saints of Maryville are coming off a weekend split at home, losing to the University of Indianapolis, 94-71, and defeating Saint Joseph's College, 72-68. Maryville, which is 11-9 overall and 5-7 in the GLVC, is 2-2 in the four games and 2-5 in the last seven outings.

USI versus Maryville. USI leads the all-time series with Maryville, 5-0, after defeating the Saints at home last season, 83-55. The Eagles also are 4-0 versus the Saints at the PAC.  

UMSL in 2013-14: The Tritons of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who travel to Bellarmine University on Thursday before visiting the Eagles, are sitting in third place in the GLVC West with a 13-8 overall record and a 7-6 mark in the GLVC. UMSL also split last week's series at home, defeating Saint Joseph's, 106-70, and falling to UIndy, 79-58. The Tritons had won three-straight prior to the loss to Greyhounds last Saturday.

USI vs UMSL. USI lead the all-time series with UMSL, 32-11, including a win in the only meeting last year, 66-54, at the PAC. The Eagles also are 21-2 against the Tritons since 2000 and holds a 10-0 advantage overall UMSL at the PAC since 2000.