USIU Tries to Stay Hot, Plays Vermont Tonight

U.S. International University will try for its second consecutive victory tonight, playing host to Vermont in a men’s nonconference basketball game at 7:30 in Golden Hall.

USIU beat St. Francis (N.Y.), 95-77, Friday for its second victory in 3 games.

Vermont lost, 83-76, to San Diego State Saturday. Vermont (1-5) has lost its last 5 games.

Only one senior will start for either team tonight. The Gulls (5-9) have no senior starters, while Vermont starts two freshmen and sophomore and junior forwards.

Vermont’s one senior starter, 6-foot 11-inch center Joe Calavita, is averaging 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds and has scored in double figures in 23 consecutive games, including 20 Saturday against San Diego State.

USIU has started 6-11, 235-pound sophomore Mike Sterner at center. Sterner, however, has had his problems this season and is averaging just 4 points and 4 rebounds. Demetrius Laffitte, a 6-5 forward, leads the team in rebounding with 10 per game.