EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Basketball was outgunned from beyond the three-point arc by Morehead State University and lost today, 81-70, in Screaming Eagles Arena. The Screaming Eagles are 5-15 overall and 2-5 in OVC play, while the MSU Eagles are 15-5 overall, 6-1 OVC.
 
It was the MSU Eagles who took command early, using a 15-7 surge to lead 24-13 with 10:15 to play in the opening half. The Screaming Eagles were out matched on the glass during the first 10 minutes, 12-1.
 
After falling behind by 14 (29-15), USI methodically started to cut the deficit to eight, 32-24, with 2:55 left in the half on a 9-3 run. Morehead State would close out the final three minutes of the half with a 10-4 run to take a 42-28 lead into the break.
 
USI flew out of the out of the locker room to start the second half and quickly cut the deficit to single-digits, 45-36, when sophomore guard/forward AJ Smith (Edwardsville, Illinois) converted an old fashion three-point play with 17:47 to play. The Screaming Eagles and the MSU Eagles continued to battle until USI cut the deficit to six, 52-46, after a pair of free throws by junior forward Nick Hittle (Indianapolis, Indiana) with 12:53 to play.
 
Morehead State would run its lead back into double digits by the midway point of the final half, taking the margin back to as many as 16 points in the final two minutes before settling for the 81-70 final.
 
On the statistics page, junior guard Jeremiah Hernandez (Chicago, Illinois) reached 30 points for the second time this season to lead USI. Hernandez was six-of-12 from the field, including a three-pointer, and 17-19 from the stripe.
 
Hittle rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points. He was four-of-five from the field and three-of-seven from the stripe.
 
As a team, USI lost the battle of the board, 34-30, and was outshot from beyond the arc, 10-4.
 
Next Up For USI:
USI concludes the three-game homestand Thursday when it hosts OVC-leading Western Illinois University Thursday at 8 p.m. The USI-WIU matchup is scheduled to air live on ESPNU. The game marks the second-straight year that USI has hosted ESPNU for a contest in Screaming Eagles Arena.
 
To showcase USI's #ScreaglePride, a White Out Night will be held for both games of Thursday's OVC doubleheader, leading off with USI Women's Basketball (also against Western Illinois) at 5 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear white apparel to whiteout Screaming Eagles Arena!
 
WIU (12-7, 5-1 OVC) suffered its first loss in OVC play, falling to Tennessee State University, 58-57, at home this afternoon. The Leathernecks saw its nine-game winning streak snapped, but they have won 10 of the last 12 games dating back to December.
 
WIU leads the all-time series with USI, 3-1, after defeating the Screaming Eagles last season, 86-78, in McComb, Illinois. The first three meetings between USI and WIU date back to a pair of games in 1977 and one in 1981 (NCAA Division II Regional contest).
 
Fans can find all the ways to follow USI Basketball action at home by visiting USIScreamingEagles.com.