COMPLETE USI GAME NOTES
 
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 15^th-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team returns to the road this week when it travels to Truman State University (15-4, 8-3 GLVC) and Quincy University (8-13, 3-8 GLVC). Tip-off Thursday at Truman State is 7:30 p.m., while start time Saturday at Quincy is 3:15 p.m.
 
The USI-TSU meeting on Thursday will be the Eagles' first meeting to Kirksville, Missouri, and their first game with the new GLVC-member Bulldogs.
 
Game coverage for the third weekend 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.
 
The Eagles (16-3, 8-3 GLVC) are coming off a 2-0 homestand that saw them reach 90 points in each game as they defeat the University of Illinois Springfield, 90-72, and McKendree University, 90-74. The victories raised USI's 2013-14 home record to 10-1. USI was led during the home stand by senior forward Orlando Rutledge (Louisville, Kentucky), who posted a season-high 28 points in the win over McKendree and averaged 23.0 points in the two contests.
 
After the 2-0 week, the Eagles rose one spot to 15^th in the NABC/Division II Top 25 poll. USI had been in the top-10 nationally for the last four weeks. The Eagles were joined in the top 25 by Drury University (fourth), the University of Indianapolis (eighth), Lewis University (22^nd), and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (20^th).
 
USI Men's Basketball notes versus Truman State and Quincy:

Eagles rose to 15th in latest poll. The University of Southern Indiana rose to 15^th in the 11^th NABC/Division II poll of 2013-14. The Screaming Eagles have been ranked 162 of the last 185 Division II ranking weeks since 2000, including 81 weeks in the top 10 and four weeks at number one.

Eagles eager to find the right road. USI leaves the Physical Activities Center after a 2-0 homestand and hopes to find the right track on the road. The Eagles were 1-2 on their last road swing that saw them go 1-1 against ranked teams and fall to the GLVC East's top team.  

Thomas becoming a force. Senior guard Lawrence Thomas has been a force for the Eagles over the last six games. Thomas is averaging 14.2 points during his last six starts, nearly four points better than his season average. He also is shooting 56 percent from the field (28-50), 61.9 percent from long range (13-21), and 94.1 percent from the charity stripe (16-17).

Thomas shooting for 1,000. Senior guard Lawrence Thomas has 839 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 19 games this season and have outrebounded their opponents in 121 of 138 games since Head Coach Rodney Watson took the helm in 2009-10.

Eagles moves West. USI makes its second trip to play teams from the GLVC West Division. The Eagles were 2-0 in their first trip, defeating Rockhurst University, 86-68, and William Jewell College, 88-66.

Truman State in 2013-14. The Bulldogs of Truman State are coming off a loss to GLVC West-leading Drury University, 88-78, which snapped their seven-game winning streak. Despite the loss, Truman State has won eight of its last 11 contests. The Bulldogs also are second in the GLVC West, two games behind Drury.

USI versus Truman State. USI is making its first trip to Kirksville, Missouri to play Truman State, both overall and in the GLVC. The Eagles won the only meeting between the two programs at the PAC in 1997-98, 92-85.

Quincy in 2013-14: The Hawks of Quincy, who host Bellarmine University on Thursday before welcoming the Eagles, are 8-13 overall and 3-8 in the GLVC. Quincy has won two of its last three contests. The Hawks split at home last weekend, losing in overtime to Drury, 92-87, and defeating Missouri University of Science & Technology, 93-77.

USI vs Quincy. USI lead the all-time series with Quincy, 27-9, including a win in the only meeting last year, 78-70, on the road. The Eagles also are 18-4 against the Hawks since 2000 and holds a 7-4 advantage at Quincy's Pepsi Arena.