INDIANAPOLIS – The 8th-ranked UIndy men's basketball team fell to a sharp-shooting Hillsdale squad 92-87 Tuesday night in the home opener.

The visiting Chargers (1-0) hit over 53-percent of their shots from the floor, including an 8-for-19 clip from long range. Hillsdale big man and GLIAC Preseason Player of the Year Kyle Cooper finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks for the Chargers.

Much of Tuesday's script seemed similar to the Hounds' recent 75-67 loss at Ashland. Despite trailing by as many as 15 points, UIndy (1-2) used a stellar 13-2 second-half push to grab its first lead since the very early stages of the game.

When senior Jamel Crocker tipped in a basket with 8:43 left, UIndy held a 60-59 advantage and all of the momentum Nicoson Hall had to offer.

The Chargers responded, however, going on a 12-0 run from the 7:38 mark until 4:11 remaining in the game, stretching their lead back up to double digits and all but sinking the Hounds' hopes.

UIndy had one more burst left, though, getting as close as four points on senior Joe Retic's lay-up with 32 seconds on the clock. Sophomore Eric Davidson – who scored all 17 of his points in the second half – helped the cause by knocking down a trio of 3-pointers in the final minutes.

But Hillsdale prevailed, sinking the majority of its foul shots as the Hounds tried to extend the game. The Chargers finished 26-for-33 from the charity stripe, including 22-for-28 in the second half.

Davidson and freshman Jimmy King were vital to the Greyhounds' second half effort, combining for 29 of UIndy's 58 points in the second frame.

Retic finished the game with 17, and Hounds were once again led in scoring by senior Jordan Loyd's 21 points. Loyd went 15-for-17 from the free throw line, and added seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

Senior Jamel Crocker, making his first career start in a Greyhound uniform, filled the stat sheet with 13 rebounds (seven offensive), five points, two blocks and an assist.

UIndy finished with 34 points off the bench, 16 second chance points and 14 on fast break.

The Chargers were simply too sharp offensively, as Cooper and Stedman Lowry (22 points) lifted the Hillsdale attack that followed a 42-point first half with a 50-point second.

The Greyhounds face their fourth GLIAC opponent of the season Saturday, hosting Lake Superior State at 3:15 p.m. ET in Nicoson Hall.