CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Basketball could not overcome a big second half by Southeast Missouri State University and fell 85-80 Saturday afternoon in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Screaming Eagles go to 15-14 overall and 8-8 in the OVC, while the Redhawks are 15-14, 10-6 OVC.   
 
With 17.7 seconds on the clock and the Eagles trailing by five, 85-80, the game was halted when USI junior guard Tyler Henry (Brooklyn, New York) became ill on the court and was transported via ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation. (NOTE: When available, additional information on Henry's condition may be released.)
 
With the loss, USI falls into a sixth-place tie with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The Eagles, who clinched a spot in the OVC Tournament Thursday, also are a game out of a tie for fourth and two games out of a tie for second with two games left in the regular season.
 
USI fell behind early in the first half as SEMO jumped out to an early 8-0 lead and led by as many as nine points, 14-5, in the first six minutes. The Eagles rallied with a 9-0 run to take the lead, 15-14, with 11:14 to play in the half.
 
After SEMO regained the lead briefly at 16-15, USI went on an 20-9 run to take its biggest lead of the game, 35-24, with 3:38 to play before halftime. The Redhawks responded with a rally to tie the game, 35-35, but the Eagles got the final four points of the half to lead at the break, 39-35.
 
In the second half, the Redhawks quick jumped in front and registered an 11-points margin, 63-52, before 10 minutes were gone in the final half. USI battle back to cut the deficit to within two points, 79-77, with 1:21 to play, but that would be as close as the Eagles would come in the final 90 seconds.
 
For the game, USI was led by the 27-point performance of sophomore guard Isaiah Swope (Newburgh, Indiana). Swope was eight-of-16 from the field and 11-of-12 from the line, while grabbing a career-high six rebounds.
 
Henry followed Swope in the scoring column with 20 points on five-of-12 from the field, including four three-point field goals, and six-of-eight from the stripe. Graduate forward Trevor Lakes (Lebanon, Indiana) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 15 points, hitting five three-point bombs.
 
Next Up For USI:   
USI returns the friendly surrounding of Screaming Eagles Arena for the final time in 2022-23 when it hosts Tennessee Tech University for a 7:30 p.m. showdown. The Eagles finish the 2022-23 regular season campaign February 25 when they return to the road to visit Tennessee State University for a 3:30 p.m. contest.
 
The Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech saw their record go to 13-16 overall and 9-7 in the OVC after falling to the University of Tennessee at Martin, 100-91. Tennessee Tech was led by forward Jaylen Sebree, who had 25 points in the loss.
 
USI stumbled in the first-ever meeting with Tennessee Tech, falling 84-69 on the road. The Eagles were led by sophomore guard Isaiah Swope with 15 points, while senior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) had a double-double with 14 points, 14 rebounds.
 
Tennessee State Tigers posted a 100-85 win over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and watched their record go to 17-12, 9-7 OVC. The Tigers were led by graduate guard Jr. Clay, who dropped in 40 points.   
 
The Eagles lead the all-time series with Tennessee State, 3-2, after losing the first meeting of the season at Screaming Eagles Arena, 80-76. USI was led by Swope with 24 points.
  
The games will be streamed on ESPN+ (with cable subscription) in addition to being heard on ESPN 97.7FM and 95.7FM The Spin.