ASHLAND, Ohio – Despite a career-high 33-point performance from senior guard Jordan Loyd, the 8th-ranked UIndy men's basketball team fell 75-67 at Ashland Saturday afternoon in Kate Gymnasium.

Down by 15 at the half, UIndy (1-1) nearly completed a significant comeback on the road, but the Eagles (2-0) closed the game on an 8-2 run to seal the win.

After yesterday's relatively slow start, Loyd wasted little time making his mark in Saturday's regional game against the Eagles. He started the contest on his own personal 8-0 run, helping UIndy jump out to a quick lead.

But the wheels fell off for the rest of the half, as Ashland outscored UIndy 34-11 over the final 14-plus minutes to head into the break leading 34-19.

The Greyhounds clawed back in the second period, however, trimming the deficit to just five by the first media timeout. Midway through the half UIndy had the Ashland lead down to two, the lowest it has been since there was 8:42 on the clock in the first.

The comeback reached its pinnacle when senior Joe Retic drained a pair of free throws with less than two minutes left, tying the game at 65-65.

Ashland had one final burst in the tank, however, as Boo Osborne sank 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions to all but put it away. His second triple, which put the Eagles ahead by two possessions, came off a Wendell Davis offensive rebound. It was one of 16 offensive rebounds for Ashland, which finished with 20 second chance points.

"Our biggest problem tonight, especially in the second half, there were four possessions that really stick out in my mind where (Ashland) got an offensive rebound and scored," Head Coach Stan Gouard told WICR, following the game. "They get 16 offensive rebounds and we're supposed to be the more athletic team. They just wanted it more from the start."

UIndy out-paced Ashland 48-41 in the second half, but couldn't overcome its 19-point opening period and finished just 4-for-20 from long range. The Hounds were also out-rebounded 42 to 29.

"The bottom line is we're not very tough right now," Gouard lamented. "Every game it's going to be like this, especially when you're supposed to be ranked in the top ten, top 25. We're going to get everyone's best."

Loyd netted his 33 on 11-of-21 shooting and 9-of-10 from the charity stripe, adding a team-high seven rebounds. Retic followed with 13 points on a 5-for-5 day at the foul line.

Ashland was led by Osborne (20 points), Davis (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Marsalis Hamilton (18 points, 11 rebounds).

UIndy's next game is Tuesday, Nov. 21, when it welcomes Hillsdale to Nicoson Hall for the 2015-16 home opener.

NOTES
- Ashland leads the all-time series over UIndy, 19-15, but prior to Saturday the last meeting between the schools was Feb. 11, 1995.
- Loyd's previous career-high was 32 points versus Lewis in last season's GLVC Tournament (3/5/2015).