EVANSVILLE – It came down to the final minutes but the University of Indianapolis men's basketball team opened GLVC play with a statement win on Monday night, taking down in-state rival University of Southern Indiana 68-62. In this year's preseason coaches poll, USI was selected as the GLVC East Division favorite with three first-place votes.
The road win puts the Hounds at 4-2 on the season and 1-0 in conference play. UIndy has won four of the last five match ups with the Screaming Eagles. Head coach Paul Corsaro picked up his second win in three tries against his former mentor and USI headman Stan Gouard.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After taking a 28-28 tie to the break, the Hounds pulled away midway thru the second half with a 10-0 run which was capped off with a Dee Montgomery three. The Screagles pulled within two at the 7:48 mark but the Hounds went a perfect four-for-four at charity stripe to regain a six-point lead. Free throws proved to be the difference as the Hounds shot 16-of-23 from the free throw line in the second half alone.
Momentum swung in USI's favor as they notched jumpers on back-to-back possessions to make it a one-point game with 2:15 left on the clock. On their third possession, recently named GLVC Player of the Week Kendrick Tchoua grabbed a defensive rebound in the paint to freeze USI's offense. Jesse Bingham silenced the crowd with a left-wing three, giving the Hounds a 62-58 lead with 1:11 remaining. UIndy made six free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- For the second straight game, five players scored in double figures. Cory Miller Jr. paced the team with 14 points followed by Jesse Bingham with 12. Kendrick Tchoua scored 11 while Dee Montgomery and Josiah Tynes recorded 10.
- Bingham led UIndy with six rebounds while five players grabbed five.
- Of the Hounds 20 made shots, 11 of them had an assist.
- UIndy's defense shined, forcing 16 turnovers and holding the Screagles to 33.9% shooting on the night.
UP NEXT
The Hounds continue GLVC opening week play this weekend. UIndy heads to Lewis on Thursday before returning home on Saturday to host Illinois Springfield.
