VINCENNES, Ind. -- The Vincennes University men’s basketball team scored the first 11 points Wednesday night and never looked back against District 16 foe Lincoln Trail.

The No. 2 Trailblazers raced out to a 50-26 halftime lead en route to an 88-64 romp.

With the win, VU improves to 24-1 overall and have won nine straight games.

Six different Trailblazers scored in double figures, led by Kevin Osawe’s 21.

“We have good players,” Trailblazers coach Todd Franklin said. “We do not have to rely on one or two players. We might have a guy who goes out and gets 30 points one night, but we have multiple guys who can score for us.”

Osawe, who missed 11 games due to injury earlier in the year, knocked down a trio of three-pointers in the first half to help the Trailblazers build a sizable advantage.

The 21 points matched his career high set on Jan. 28 at Lewis and Clark.

“Kevin hit a bunch of shots in the first half and he is another one of our good shooters,” Franklin said. “Although we were still winning early in the year, we really missed what he brings to our team. But he is still not even close to being what he can be.”

The Trailblazers connected on 12 shots from behind the arc, as their lead would blossom to as large as 37 points.

Then the VU defense got a little too relaxed for Franklin’s liking.

“I thought for about 25 or 26 minutes our defense was really locked in and ready,” the hall of fame coach said. “Then we let up and they hit a few shots, which is something we will have to clean up before Saturday.”

George Dixon recorded his 11th double-double of the season as he finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Lony Francis, Jr . and Craig Porter both had 12 points, while Keith Clemons and Colton Sandage had 11 points apiece.

Behind Dixon’s 10 and Osawe’s nine, the Trailblazers dominated the rebounding battle, 43-22.

“Again that is something we expect to be able to do every night,” Franklin said of the rebounds. “It takes work to do what our guys are able to do on the glass. It’s hard to go out there and beat up guys and get a 21 rebounding edge but our guys do what a lot of other teams won’t do and to be as consistent as our guys are at it, is pretty impressive.”

The Trailblazers  return to the court Saturday when they travel to Olney Central. VU will look to avenge its only loss of the season to the No. 14 ranked Blue Knights who are 22-2.

“This next game is a big game which is something we are used to being in,” Franklin stated. “And if we can go over there and handle our business we will leave in a very good position with four games to play.

“We expect our guys to rise up to the occasion.”

VU is currently one game ahead of Olney Central in the District 16 standings.

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TRAVIS DAVID, Assistant Sports Information Director   812-888-6831 office, vuathletics@vinu.edu

MARCIA MARTINEZ, University Life Reporter & Sports Information Director 812-888-4164 office, 314-599-1519 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, mmartinez@vinu.edu

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/news/newsroom