EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Basketball battled Southeast Missouri State University but lost 84-76 Thursday evening at Liberty Arena. The Screaming Eagles go to 3-12 overall and 0-5 in the OVC, while the Redhawks are 9-7, 4-1 OVC.
 
USI had the early momentum in the contest, leading 7-0 and 12-4 before four minutes had passed in the contest. SEMO got into the scoring column and knotted the game at 14-14 with 13:13 to play in the first half.
 
The Screaming Eagles and Redhawks would trade leads until SEMO used an 11-2 run to take command, 34-26, with 5:11 before the intermission. USI would rally to cut the deficit to four points, 36-32, but SEMO would respond and take a 43-36 advantage into the break. Junior guard Ismail Habib led USI in the first 20 minutes with 11 points.
 
The second half did not get off to a good start for the Screaming Eagles as the Redhawks extended the lead to 51-38 with an 8-2 surge to start the second half. SEMO would continue to extend the margin to as many as 14 points, 54-40, before USI starts to chip away at the margin.
 
Junior guard Amaree Brown pulled the Screaming Eagles back to within seven, 58-51, when he was able to convert a three-pointer from the corner and an old-fashioned three-point play on back-to-back possessions with 13:53 remaining. USI closed the gap, 60-56, even further when senior guard Cardell Bailey connected on a pair of free throws and a three-pointer from the top of the key.
 
The Redhawks would respond to take back control with a 13-2 run would roll to an 84-76 final.
 
USI was led by its bench tonight in the scoring column with Bailey leading the way with 20 points. Bailey was five-of-14 from the field, including three from long range, and seven-of-seven from the stripe.
 
Brown added 15 points off the bench, going five-of-nine from the field with two three-pointers and three-of-four from the line in his USI debut.
 
Habib rounded out USI's double-digit scorers with 18 points. The senior had six field goals, one three-pointer, and five-of-six in free throws. He also had a team-high five assists.
 
Next Up For USI:
USI finishes its home weekend by hosting UT Martin Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Liberty Arena.
 
UT Martin saw its record go to 12-4 overall and 4-1 OVC after defeating Morehead State, 76-68, Thursday on the road. The Skyhawks, who have won their last four games after tonight's win, lead the all-time series with USI, 9-4, after taking both matchups last season.