OWENSBORO, Ky. — University of Southern Indiana men's basketball player Jeron Lewis died on Thursday night, apparently from a head injury suffered during a game at Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Lewis, a senior post player, was 21.

At approximately 9:05 p.m., Lewis lay motionless after his feet became tangled and he tumbled to the floor of the Owensboro Sportscenter and hit his head, multiple witnesses said.

He lay prone with his hands outstretched above his head briefly as trainers from both teams ran to him. Then he began convulsing as they tried to secure him.

After the movement subsided, the 6-foot-8, 260-pound Lewis was placed on a backboard and gurney and taken to Owensboro Medical Health System by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead at 9:52 p.m.

An exact cause of death is not known, but Daviess County Coroner Bob Howe scheduled an autopsy for this morning.

In December, Lewis left the team for two games to be present for the birth of his first child, son Jamel, in his hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind.

"Real exciting," Lewis said Dec. 14.

"I hated to be away from these guys, but it was a big deal, and I was glad I could be there for that."

A senior who was majoring in business management, Lewis was in his second year with the Eagles after transferring from Northeastern Junior College in Colorado.

Unaware of Lewis' status or the severity of his condition, his teammates finished out a 74-69 win in what is one of Division II basketball's most heated rivalries, and it wasn't until more than 30 minutes after the game ended that USI players and coaches became aware he had died.

"I hate to speculate," Eagles' coach Rodney Watson said immediately after the game.

"I don't know, don't know what it was. I'm going to go to the hospital and find out those answers."

Before the team left, however, they had received the news and retreated to the locker room.

Later, a tearful bunch of Eagles emerged to return home to Evansville without one of their own.

“The university community is heartbroken with the passing of this outstanding young man,” said USI President Linda Bennett. “Jeron was an excellent example of a student athlete who strove to be the best that he could be. He will be truly missed, not only by his teammates, but by the university community. Our prayers are with Jeron’s family in their time of need.”

Article courtesy of the Evansville Courier & Press.

Click here to listen to comments from NJC Men's Basketball Coach Eddie Trenkle.

On January 27, when NJC hosts Western Nebraska, 104.7 King FM, Northeastern Junior College Associated Student Government and Resident Life, and several area businesses will be hosting a fundraiser for Jeron and his son, Jamel. All of the money raised during the “Black Out for Jeron” will be put into a college fund to ensure that Jeron Lewis’ son, Jamel, is afforded the same opportunity of education that Jeron was.

Black t-shirts in honor of Jeron are now on sale for $12.00. All of the profits from the sale of these t-shirts will be put directly into the fund for Jamel. These t-shirts will be available for order and purchase at upcoming home NJC games through Saturday, January 23. To place your pre-order outside of NJC games, please email Ben Blecha at ben.blecha@gmail.com or call 970-522-1607 between the hours of 9am and 4pm Monday through Friday.

Kizer Wireless will be cooking up hot dogs from 4:30pm to 6pm on Wednesday, January 27. They will be available for a donation of choosing with all the profits going directly into the fund for Jamel.

Jeron Lewis was known as a rebounder while playing at Northeastern Junior College. Area individuals and businesses will also have the opportunity to donate $0.40 or more per rebound pulled down by Northeastern Junior College and Western Nebraska Community College during the men’s game on January 27. All of the money donated will go directly into the fund for Jamel. For more information or to commit your donation, please email Ben Blecha at ben.blecha@gmail.com or call 970-522-1607 between the hours of 9am and 4pm Monday through Friday.

Jeron Lewis may have only played one season at Northeastern Junior College but he gave 110% on the court and in the classroom. We certainly hope this opportunity to give 110% for his son, Jamel, will leave a lasting legacy of what Jeron meant to the NJC community.

For more information on this event, please email Ben Blecha at ben.blecha@gmail.com or call 970-522-1607 between the hours of 9am and 4pm Monday through Friday.