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SCORE: USI 64, Maryville 61
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 22nd-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team held off Maryville University and won a 64-61 decision Thursday evening at the Physical Activities Center. USI rises to 18-4 overall and 10-4 in the GLVC, while Maryville falls to 11-10 overall, 5-8 GLVC.
The Screaming Eagles took control of the game in the first half and built a 13-point advantage, 30-17, with 1:13 left before halftime on a three-pointer by junior guard/forward Austin Davis (Freeport, Illinois). USI and Maryville would trade baskets before the buzzer sounded to send the teams into the locker room with the Eagles leading 32-22.
In the second half, USI maintained a lead near or around the 10-point mark for most of the second half until junior forward Alex Marzette (Racine, Wisconsin) ignited an 8-0 run that extended the Eagles' lead to 16 points, 55-39, with 6:44 to play.
The Saints, however, were not about to go quietly. Maryville went on a 13-0 run of its own to cut USI's margin to three-points, 55-52, with 3:41 left. The Eagles answered the Saints' rally with a defensive stand and senior guard Lawrence Thomas (Springfield, Illinois).
Thomas scored eight of his 10 points in the final three minutes, four of the points coming in the final four seconds of the game to preserve the 64-61 victory.
Individually, senior forward Taylor Wischmeier (Brownstown, Indiana) led all USI scorers with a team-high 14 points. He also recorded his third double-double of the season with a game-high 11 rebounds.
Senior center Chuck Jones (Madisonville, Kentucky), who made his first start of the season, rounded out the USI double-figure scorers with 12 points.
USI concludes the short weekend series with its homecoming game Saturday when they entertain the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The Tritons saw their record go to 13-9 overall and 7-7 in the GLVC after falling to Bellarmine University, 72-59, this evening.
NOTE: USI played tonight and will play Saturday without senior forward Aaron Nelson (Chicago Heights, Illinois), who was suspended for two-games for a violation of team rules.
