Thursday, June 19, 2008
Eagles hope third time is the charm in Vectren Classic
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The University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles hope the third time will be the charm when they play the University of Evansville Aces in the third Vectren Community Classic November 1 at Roberts Stadium. The 2008 edition of the USI-Evansville match-up, sponsored by Kenny Kent Toyota Lexus Scion, is the finale of the three games in five years agreement. The exhibition game, which has fast become Evansville’s most popular basketball game, will tip-off the season for both Rick Herdes’ Eagles and Marty Simmons’ Aces. The Aces won the opener in 2004, 88-75, in front of 12,441 fans. The second meeting in 2006 ended 77-75 in favor of the Aces before a crowd of 11,597. “This match-up is a great way to start the basketball season,” said Herdes. “The games in 2004 and 2006 were everything local basketball fans had been asking for and this year's contest will be no different. The game will be important in preparing the Screaming Eagles for the regular season, which will begin one week later in the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic.” Tickets will go on sale to the public in the fall. “We are pleased that we will have the opportunity to compete against the University of Evansville again in the pre-season,” commented USI Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall. “This is a great event for our community and all the student-athletes enjoy the competition. Our ultimate goal is to compete for a national championship and playing a great program in this type of atmosphere will help prepare us for that challenge.” Herdes and the Screaming Eagles are looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2007-08 that saw the team's record dip to 15-12 overall and 9-10 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. USI is led by junior forward Anthony Pimble (11.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg), the Eagles' top returning scorer, and senior guard Kenny Love (7.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg in 2006-07), who missed last season with a knee injury. The Eagles will have an entirely new look this season with eight newcomers on the roster. Simmons has the top five scorers returning from a team that finished 9-21 overall and 3-15 in the Missouri Valley Conference in his first year as head coach. Forward Shy Ely (14.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg) was named honorable mention all-MVC and was chosen for the five-man MVC Most Improved Team. Guard Jason Holsinger (12.3 ppg, 4.6 apg) ranked among the MVC's top 10 in three-point shooting and assists, and Pieter van Tongeren (5.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg) made the MVC All-Freshman Team. Ray Simmons Sports Information rsimmons@usi.edu 812/465-1622 |
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