'Our guys didn't back down': USI men's basketball secures strong road win at Bowling Green
After Tuesday’s loss to St. Bonaventure, University of Southern Indiana men’s basketball coach Stan Gouard wanted to see improvement in several areas. But there was one aspect he stressed: playing with effort and heart.
He felt that was lacking in their most recent defeat. He had seen them play with high energy in a few performances already this season. They just needed to find a way to get that mojo back.
It returned in a major way on Saturday afternoon.
USI notched a strong, bounce-back victory with a 69-57 win against Bowling Green in the final game of the Gotham Classic. It’s the first road victory for the Screaming Eagles in the Division I era as they improve to 3-3 on the year.
“We didn’t want to just match their energy, we wanted to exceed it,” Gouard said during his postgame radio interview. “We did a great job of locking in on what they do well, especially with their physicality. You can’t teach toughness but our guys didn’t back down.”
USI overcame a rough start by playing arguably its best basketball since it defeated Southern Illinois two weeks ago. This was a well-rounded performance. They made 3-pointers and consistently moved the ball. Defensive pressure forced 16 turnovers and 11 steals, and the lead hovered around double-digits for the majority of the second half.
“Once our offense gets going, our defense turns up even more,” said senior guard Jelani Simmons in his postgame radio interview. “We’re just able to knock down shots and then get back and lock them up. Once our offense and defense gets going, we look beautiful out there.”
USI used 3-point shooting to create separation in the first half. Simmons and Trevor Lakes (nine points, eight rebounds) caught fire from beyond the arc. While the Eagles finished at just a 33% clip from three (9-for-27), that start allowed them to rally from an early deficit.
Although not as many shots fell in the second half, Bowling Green had to lock down on shooters more carefully. That opened up more opportunities inside. Especially for junior guard Gary Solomon, who Gouard estimated was playing in front of about 30 of his family members from Detroit. He scored the first eight points of the second half en route to a season-high 21-point outing.
“We got better looks and guys stayed with shots,” Gouard said. “We got into a better rhythm with drives and kicks. When you do that, great things can happen.”
USI was also happy to see the return of Simmons. After leaving Tuesday in the first half with a back injury, he was listed as a game-time decision for Saturday. He came off of the bench to lead the Eagles with a game-high 23 points — he also connected on a pair of alley-oops with impressive passes from Jack Campion and Jacob Polakovich, respectively.
Gouard said they missed his “leadership and athleticism” in the second half against the Bonnies. On Saturday, it was apparent just how much he means to this team. His ability to play at the rim and make deep 3-pointers, including one his coach described as “the basketball gods taking care of you," make him a weapon every game.
“Watching that second half (on the bench) was killing me. I needed to be with my guys,” Simmons said about Tuesday’s game. “Tonight we had full energy. It felt like a family.”
It was much more than just Simmons and Solomon who had an impact on this game. Lakes’ shooting put USI up early. Polakovich nearly had another double-double. Kiyron Powell was a menace on defense with four blocks. Isaiah Swope and Jack Campion found open shooters with their passes.
They'll want another all-around showing on Wednesday as the road trip continues with a trip to Western Illinois. The Leathernecks (2-4) are 294th in KenPom while the Eagles are 192nd.
USI has experienced plenty of ups and downs already. That’s part of the growing process of transitioning to this level. Gouard wants to see continued positive strides, and Saturday was a start.
“Now, we’ve got that taste of winning on the road in our mouths,” Gouard said. “That was big for us. We have to take that (confidence) into Western Illinois next week and get another.”
Contact Courier & Press sports reporter Hendrix Magley via email at hendrix.magley@courierpress.com or via Twitter @TweetsOfHendrix.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: USI men's basketball secures first D1 road win at Bowling Green
