INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy men's basketball (10-6, 4-4 GLVC) team shot 52.3 percent from the field on Thursday night in Nicoson Hall, but couldn't get hot from behind the arc and dropped the conference battle with Truman, 86-80. It is the first time in the programs' history that the Bulldogs have overcome the Greyhounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jesse Kempson and CJ Hardaway Jr. scored the first 11 points of the evening for the Greyhounds as the home team led by nine just three minutes into the game. Coming off the bench for the second straight game, Devin Dixon played with a purpose as he scored the next six points for the Hounds. Fellow bench mate Martell Miller drilled a three-pointer midway through the half, but Truman went on an 11-0 run thereafter over a span of three minutes and 12 seconds.
 
The visitors led until the 2:40 mark, when Tate Hall drilled a long ball to reach double digits for the fifth consecutive contest. Eric Davidson made a jumper to shut down a 6-0 run by the Bulldogs, but the visitors led at the intermission, 44-39.
 
Lawton got things started quickly for the Hounds in the second half, forcing a Truman turnover before driving down the court for a layup in traffic. Four different scorers inched the Greyhounds within one at the first media timeout, and Lawton converted a three-point play on the team's first possession for UIndy's first lead since the 9:30 mark in the first half. The Hounds scored back-to-back transition buckets in a span of 17 seconds before Davidson splashed his first three-pointer of the night at the 12-minute mark.
 
The Bulldogs made six of their first 10 three-point attempts of the half, not allowing the Greyhounds to build on momentum. Stuck on 69 points for nearly four minutes, Hall poured in two points plus the foul to put UIndy within four with three minutes remaining. Down two, the Greyhounds failed to take advantage of empty possessions by the Bulldogs with sloppy turnovers as the deficit climbed back to six with 1:14 left on the clock. UIndy scored a couple baskets late, but Truman held on and sealed the road win with free throws for a final score of 86-80.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Tate Hall continues to be a force for the Greyhounds, pouring in 26 points one game removed from setting a career-high with 25 against Lewis. The sophomore added seven rebounds and three assists to his stat line in the 37 minutes of action.
 
UIndy turned the ball over an uncharacteristically 20 times in the loss. Averaging 13 turnovers per game so far this season, tonight marks the second time the Hounds have reached the 20 mark.
 
Eric Davidson scored 10 points on the evening on three-of-five shooting, including a three-pointer. The senior has drilled at least one long ball in 15 of the team's 16 contests this season.
 
Jesse Kempson reached double figures for the ninth time in 11 games, scoring 11 points against the Bulldogs. The junior also pulled down eight boards for the third time in six games.
 
HOUND BYTES
Head coach Stan Gouard: "We were careless with the basketball. It came down to us not executing and guys not being in the right spots and throwing the ball to where guys should be instead of reading the defense."
 
"Nobody had any excitement to come out and play the game we supposedly love. I'm very disappointed in how we came out to play this basketball game. We weren't there mentally or physically. We're not going win very many ballgames when we have 20 turnovers."
 
"We're supposed to be a shooting basketball team and 60 percent from the free-throw line isn't acceptable. I'm disappointed in our energy level and our lack of awareness on the defensive end."
 
"Everybody has to come with the same approach that Tate has right now. I always say 'make a mistake and play hard.' He made some mistakes, but he's one of those guys that's mentally and physically trained to play. We have to get more guys with that mindset."
 
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds continue their home stand on Saturday when they welcome Drury to Nicoson Hall. Tip is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.