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INDIANAPOLIS – It was another instant classic at Nicoson Hall Thursday night in an increasingly-intensifying rivalry between UIndy and visiting Bellarmine. In a standoff between two of the top four teams in Division II, the third-ranked Greyhounds (14-0, 6-0 GLVC) downed the No. 4 Knights,
66-62, in front of more than 2,700 fans.
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With a chance to take the lead in the final minute, Bellarmine's Rusty Troutman misfired on a deep 3-pointer, keeping the score 63-62 Hounds.Â
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UIndy advanced the ball past half court and called a timeout with 30.6 on the clock. Junior
Jordan Loyd drew a blocking foul on the ensuing play and calmly knocked down both ends of the 1 & 1 to make it a three-point game.
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On their final possession of the night, the Knights fired again from downtown. This time Chris Whitehead's try was short, and
Joe Lawson muscled down the rebound with only 2.1 left, eventually hitting one of two at the line to finally ice it.
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The game featured 11 lead changes, including seven in the second half alone. The Greyhounds set season lows in both points scored and field goal percentage (.396) but never trailed by more than four points.
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Four Hounds finished in double figures, paced by senior
Joe Lawson's 15 points, 10 boards and three blocks. Loyd managed 14 points, while juniors
Lucas Barker and
Salim Gloyd each had 12. Senior
Brennan McElroy led all players with 13 rebounds, Loyd had four assists, while Barker and senior
Dai-Jon Parker both had three steals.
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The Hounds earned the largest lead of the night with a 49-42 edge with 12:44 to go, but the Knights scored seven unanswered to knot it at 49-49.
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Gloyd responded with one of his four triples on the night to push UIndy back in front. The lead changed hands six more times from that point until Lawson's free throws with 4:32 ultimately put the Hounds up for good.
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UIndy remains home to host Southern Indiana Saturday afternoon. Tip time for Nicoson Hall is set for 3:15 p.m. ET.
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