Bolivar, Mo. – The Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles ended SBU's five game winning streak Tuesday afternoon, defeating the Bearcats 84-77. The Bearcats trailed by 17 mid-way through the second half and trimmed the deficit all the way down to 1, but couldn't complete the comeback. Following Tuesday's game, SBU's record now sits at 6-2 (6-2 GLVC).
 
The visitors started the game on a 9-0 run. Back-to-back three's by Quinn Nelson and Brady Smith quickly cut that lead to 3. With 15:20 on the clock in the first, Quinn Nelson was fouled after draining another three, completing the four-point play. A possession later, Nelson hit another three to even the score at 15. The Screaming Eagles built their lead to 17 with 1:36 to go in the half, but the Bearcats were able to cut that lead down to 12 heading into the break thanks to a monster dunk and-one play from Jalil Beaubrun and layups from Beaubrun and Nelson.
 
Picking up where they left off, USI quickly built their lead back to 17 early in the second, and again with 13:12 left in the game. That lead was diminished to 7 in less than three minutes, thanks to solid defense, scores by Ricky Crawford Jr. and Brady Smith, and three pointers from Quinn Nelson and Nico Aguirre. The deficit remained around 8 for a few minutes before the Bearcats made another push. With 7:24 to go, Nico Aguirre completed an and-one play, Brady Smith hit a three, and Joe Miller made a free throw to make the score 63-65. A few possessions later, Quinn Nelson hit his sixth three pointer of the game to cut the deficit down to 1. USI was able to build the lead back to 9 with 41 seconds to go, but SBU wasn't done fighting. Thanks to free throws and a big jumper from Mitch Ganote, the deficit was cut to 3 with 19 seconds on the clock. Southern Indiana would go on to make four free throws to end the game with an 84-77 final.
 
Quinn Nelson tied his career high points (26) and three-point field goals made (6). He also had 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block. Brady Smith also scored 20 points and led the team with 7 rebounds. After a hot first half, USI was held to 30% shooting from the field in the second half, and 20% from three-point range.
 
SBU hits the road Thursday, taking on Rockhurst in their second matchup this season. Tip-off for that game is set for 7:30 PM.