TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The UIndy men's basketball team took a break from regular season action on Saturday afternoon as it traveled to Division I Indiana State for an exhibition contest, its second and final of the season. The Hounds dropped the contest, 79-75, after leading for nearly 13 minutes in the second half.
 
Saturday's game was the first matchup between the two universities since Nov. 7, 2009, one that Indiana State also prevailed, 82-67. Back on Nov. 5, the Hounds lost to Indiana, 74-53, in an exhibition.
 
Because the game does not affect its record, UIndy remains at 5-3 on the season. The Greyhounds have three non-conference games remaining on the schedule to end the calendar year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hounds led 4-3 early in the game after a pair of layups by Tate Hall and Jesse Kempson. The Indiana State lead grew to as much as eight points at 34-26 with 5:11 remaining in the opening half. Eric Davidson scored six of the team's next 12 points, including a three-pointer, while Roderick David and CJ Hardaway Jr. added on some tallies to even the game at 38-38 just before the break. A free throw by the Sycamores gave them back the lead with 33 seconds left, which would hold as the halftime score.
 
A long ball by Alex Etherington four minutes into the second half gave the Greyhounds a 48-47 lead, which would hold until for 12 minutes. Trevor Lakes scored eight straight points for UIndy, including a pair of three-pointers to stretch the lead to seven and a Davidson jumper increased it to a game-high nine points. Indiana State fought back, getting back within a point with 8:12 on the clock and stayed within four until it re-gained the lead with 2:35 remaining. Hall tied the game with two free throws soon after, but the Sycamores ran away at the end to win, 79-75, as the final horn sounded.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The Hounds lost the rebound battle, but pulled down more defensive boards in the loss. Hardaway Jr. led all players with nine rebounds, while Devin Dixon finished with eight. It is the third time this season the Indianapolis native has recorded at least nine boards, with the last time coming at Wisconsin-Parkside in the GLVC opener.
 
UIndy went 15-for-17 from the free-throw line, with Hall (six-for-six), Hardaway Jr. (five-for-five), and Davidson (one-for-one) all being perfect from the charity stripe. On the other side, the Sycamores attempted 33 free throws, making 20.
 
Lakes' four-for-seven effort from behind the arc is the third time this season the freshman has drilled that many three-pointers in a game this season. Davidson was three-for-seven from long range, while Etherington hit the other three for the Hounds.
 
HOUND BYTES
Head coach Stan Gouard: "I felt we controlled the game for the most part. It came down to stops at the end of the game, rebounds, and taking care of the basketball. We executed on offense much better than ever before. I felt we battled for the most part on the boards. We're really fortunate that we had a chance for this opportunity."
 
"Our goal coming in was to play through our big guys, and our guards move without the basketball. I thought we did a great job tonight moving without the ball, and thankfully Davidson and Lakes made shots."
 
UP NEXT
Bluefield State comes to town on Thursday for an 8 p.m. tip before the Hounds meet Salem International in Danville, Ill. for a neutral-site contest. UIndy wraps up the calendar year with a home game against No. 11 Barry on Tuesday, Dec. 19.