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Panthers' winning streak ends
Kentucky Wesleyan College’s Willie Richardson scrambles to pick up his dribble while under pressure from Southern Indiana’s Jamar Smith during the first half of Thursday night’s game at the Sportscenter. The 10th-ranked Panthers lost to the No. 5 Screaming Eagles 74-69. John Dunham, Messenger-Inquirer

Panthers' winning streak ends

Fifth-ranked Southern Indiana snapped the nation's longest NCAA Division II winning streak by beating No. 10 Kentucky Wesleyan 74-69 at the Sportscenter in a game overshadowed by the shocking death of USI player Jeron Lewis.

The Screaming Eagles' standout pivot man, who was the game's leading rebounder with nine, fell to the hardwood going after a rebound with just over 41/2 minutes remaining in the game. Paramedics immobilized Lewis, who was subsequently transported to Owensboro Medical Health System, where he was pronounced dead at 9:52 p.m.

The cause of death is unknown. An autopsy is tentatively scheduled for this morning in Madisonville.

Despite hitting just 30 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, KWC (16-2, 5-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference) led 33-30 at intermission.

Undefeated USI (16-0, 7-0) started hot in the second half behind the hot hand of forward Tyrone Bradshaw, who scored six points in a 9-2 spurt that pushed the Eagles in front 39-35.

Midway through the second half, USI got a pair of baskets from star guard Jamar Smith and another from guard Kevin Gant in a 6-0 spree that left the Eagles with their biggest lead of the night -- 52-42.

"We just weren't getting stops," said KWC coach Todd Lee, whose club was outrebounded 40-28. "We haven't been outrebounded like this all season. Some of that is their size and athleticism and some of it is not doing a very good job boxing out."

The Panthers furiously battled back, closing the gap to 65-64 after a steal and layup by reserve center Andree' Wilson with 3:53 to play.

Southern Indiana, however, hit six consecutive free throws over the next 1:09 to shoot in front 71-64 with 1:44 to play.

KWC closed to within 71-69 on a pair of Wilson free throws at 1:10, but Nick Duncheon answered with a game-clinching 3-pointer at 0:48 to account for the final margin.

"We've just got to get better," said KWC senior point guard Desmond Stephens, who scored a game-best 19 points despite 4-of-13 floor shooting. Stephens went 9-of-14 from the foul stripe, with eight assists, three rebounds and two steals.

The Screaming Eagles' balanced attack was paced by Smith, who scored 15 points, secured five rebounds and dished four assists. Marvin Gray came off the bench to produce 13 points and seven rebounds, Duncheon made three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points, and Bradshaw added 10 points.

Marico Stinson scored 12 points, Wilson climbed off the pine to score 11, and Chris Williams added 10 points and a team-best six rebounds.

USI was whistled for 22 turnovers.

Southern Indiana, which displaced KWC and now owns the nation's longest win streak (16), shot 51 percent from the floor, compared to KWC's 41 percent.

The longtime rivals meet again on Feb. 15 in Evansville.

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