February 03, 2009
USI returns for Homecoming week
Eagles come home to play Quincy and Drury
USI Game Notes; NABC Division II Top 25
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team returns to the friendly surroundings of the Physical Activities Center this week for a pair of GLVC West Division contests. USI hosts Quincy University Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Drury University for Homecoming Saturday at 3:15 p.m.
In addition to Homecoming, the USI Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2009 will be recognized prior to Saturday's game. The 2009 induction class includes John Hollinden ‘83 (men's basketball); Eileen Weber '98 (women's basketball); Elly Rono '98 (cross country/track); Jim Nolan (cross country/track); Jim Brown (head coach baseball, men's and women's golf); Chancellor Dugan (head coach women's basketball); and the 1995 Men's Basketball National Championship Team.
The Screaming Eagles (19-4, 8-2 GLVC), who rose to 16th in today's NABC/Division II Top 25, are coming off a 74-63 hard-fought victory over Missouri University of Science & Technology. USI was led in the win by senior forward Anthony Pimble (Bronx, New York) with 15 points.
Pimble has been on fire for the Eagles the last four games, averaging 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He also is shooting 66.7 percent from the field (26-39), 44.4 percent from beyond the three-point arc (4-9), and 93.3 percent from the charity stripe (14-15).
Junior guard Jamar Smith (Peoria, Illinois) leads the Eagles overall with 17.0 points per game and is posting 20.0 per game since becoming a starter four games ago. Junior forward Brandon Russ (Cincinnati, Ohio) ranks second with 13.3 points per contest, while Pimble and junior guard Marvin Gray (Freeport, Bahamas) round out the double-figure scorers with 12.6 and 11.3 points per appearance, respectively.
The Hawks of Quincy (11-8, 4-6 GLVC) come to play the Eagles after starting the week with a 74-68 win at home over Bellarmine University. QU junior guard Mookie Pierre and senior forward Austin Chapital led the Hawks to the win against Bellarmine with 18 and 17 points, respectively.
For the season, Quincy, which is 2-2 in its last four games, is led by sophomore forward Justin Brock with 13.1 points per game.
USI leads the all-time series with Quincy, 21-8, despite the Hawks picking up wins in both meetings last year. The Hawks won 74-69 at the PAC and 73-62 in Quincy during 2008-09.
The Panthers of Drury (12-8, 5-5 GLVC), who play at Rockhurst University on Thursday before coming to USI, begin this week's action looking to break a four-game losing streak. Drury lost its only game last week to the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 80-65, after its game with USI was cancelled due to weather.
DU senior forward Chris Ijames leads the Panthers with 15.1 points per game, 17.1 in GLVC action. He also is the team's leading rebounder with 5.6 boards per contest.
USI trails Drury in the all-time series, 4-3, and has lost the last three to the Panthers. The Panthers won 61-56 in Springfield, Missouri, and 70-68 at the PAC last season.
Fans can follow the play-by-play on ESPN 106.7FM, WSWI 820AM (Saturday only), and WPSR 90.7. The broadcasts also can be heard through the internet by following the links on www.usi.edu/sports.
Ray Simmons, USI Sports Information
