LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Basketball lost momentum in the second half and lost at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 78-58, in the Jack Stephens Center. The Screaming Eagles are 6-10 overall and 1-5 in OVC action, while the Trojans are 9-7, 3-2 OVC.
 
USI dug out of a hole in the first half after spotting Little Rock a 7-0 margin to start the game. The Eagles would methodically work their way back into a 28-28 tie by the intermission, including a 13-9 run in the final nine minutes of the half.  
 
Junior guard Damoni Harrison led the Eagles in scoring, but the offensive surge for USI came from the bench. The USI bench would score 16 of the 28 first-half points, led by junior guard Sam Kodi, who had six points.
 
The second half started the Eagles' way with junior guard Braxton Jones hitting a three-pointer from the corner for USI's first lead of the game, 31-30. Jones also would hit a second three-pointer to put the Eagles up four, 39-35, with 16:01 left, USI's largest lead of the game.
 
After the Trojans used a 7-0 spurt to regain the lead, 42-39, USI recorded a 5-0 run to take the lead back, 44-42, on five-straight points by junior guard Jared Washington. The score would change or be tied 10 times in the first 10 minutes of the second half.  
 
The Eagles' offense would go cold after the Washington points as the Trojans went on an 8-2 run to regain command. USI's scoring drought would go for nearly four minutes as Little Rock built a nine-point lead, 55-46.
 
USI would close the gap to six points, 57-51, after three-straight free throws by Harrison, but that would be as close as the Eagles would come in the final six minutes before Little Rock surged to a 78-58 final.
 
Individually for USI, Harrison led the Eagles and was the only player in double-digits with 17 points. Harrison was five-of-15 from the field, including three three-pointers, and four-of-five from the stripe.
 
Next Up For USI:
USI returns home for a pair of OVC games at Liberty Arena next week. The Eagles are slated to host Lindenwood University Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Western Illinois University Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
 
The Lions of Lindenwood are 8-9 overall and 3-3 in the OVC after sweeping a home series last week. Lindenwood defeated Tennessee State University, 72-62, Thursday and the University of Tennessee at Martin, 82-81, Saturday.   
 
The Eagles lead the all-time series, 7-1, after splitting the OVC games last year. USI won at Lindenwood, 73-62, while the Lions defeated the Eagles, 67-63, at Liberty Arena.
 
The Leathernecks of WIU are 8-9 overall, 2-4 in the conference, after losing a pair at home. WIU started last week with an 85-83 loss to UT Martin and finished with a 72-52 setback to TSU.
 
WIU leads the all-time series, 5-1, after taking both games from USI last season. The Leathernecks won at Liberty Arena, 73-68, and in Macomb, Illinois, 78-76.
 
Saturday's USI-WIU matchup is Military Appreciation Day at Liberty Arena. Veterans and their guests will receive free tickets with proof of service (limit to five per veteran) on Military Appreciation Day, which is sponsored by the USI Student Veteran Association.
 
Tickets for the homestand and all USI home dates are on sale now at USIScreamingEagles.com.