EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Basketball returns to the friendly surroundings of Liberty Arena to host Lindenwood University Thursday and Western Illinois University Saturday. Tipoff Thursday for Pajama Night versus Lindenwood is 7:30 p.m., while the start time for Military Appreciation Day Saturday against WIU is 3:30 p.m.
 
On Military Appreciation Day, veterans and their guests will receive free tickets (limit to five per veteran) with proof of service. Military Appreciation Day is sponsored by the USI Student Veteran Association.
 
The USI Screaming Eagles (6-10, 1-5 OVC) come home to Liberty Arena looking to get back on track and snap a five-game losing streak. USI was 0-3 on its road swing over the last two weeks and 0-2 last week, falling to Southeast Missouri State University, 77-66, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 78-58.
 
Junior guards Damoni Harrison and Sam Kodi led USI last week with 14.0 points and 10.5 points per game, respectively. Harrison also led USI on the three-game road trip with 16.0 points per game, while sophomore forward Stephen Olowoniyi posted 14.7 points and a team-best 9.0 rebounds per game.
 
For the season, the Eagles have three players in double-digits for the season, led by junior guard Jayland Randall's 15.5 points per contest. Randall, who is scheduled to return to action this week after missing the last three games with an injury, is followed by Olowoniyi's 14.3 points per game. Harrison rounds out the double-digit scorers with 13.6 points per outing overall and a team-best 15.7 points per OVC contest.
 
The Lions of Lindenwood are 8-9 overall and 3-3 in the OVC after sweeping a home series last week. Lindenwood, which has won five of its last six games, 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 last week. WIU started last week with an 85-83 loss to UT Martin and finished with a 72-52 setback to TSU. The Leathernecks have lost six of their last eight games.
 
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.
 
All of the USI Basketball action can be seen live on ESPN+. The game can also be heard on ESPN 97.7FM (http://listentotheref.com) and 95.7FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com). Tickets for the homestand and all USI home dates are on sale now at USIScreamingEagles.com.