ISU FALL SHORT AGAINST UNDEFEATED DRAKE, 73-66

ISU FALL SHORT AGAINST UNDEFEATED DRAKE, 73-66

Credit : Indiana State University Athletics

TERRE HAUTE, IND. — The Indiana State men’s basketball team gave undefeated Drake University a run for its money Monday night, running out of gas late against the Bulldogs and falling 73-66 in the Hulman Center.

Monday night’s showdown had 12 lead changes and was tied 12 different times, but ultimately Drake withstood the challenge from Indiana State, outscoring the Sycamores 24-15 over the final 6:18 of the game.

Sophomore Jake LaRavia led the Sycamores in scoring with 20 points in just 19 minutes of play. Junior Cooper Neese added 18 and senior Tyreke Key finished with 11. Sophomore Tre Williams led ISU with eight rebounds.

Drake was led by dynamic guard Roman Penn, who had 21 points, six assists, and four rebounds..

The Sycamores dictated the pace in the first half, holding Drake to a season-low 25 points. The ISU defense also limited the Bulldogs to 22% (2-of-9) from downtown and forced the visitors into nine turnovers. Neese scored 16 of his 18 points in the first stanza, going 4-for-4 from three and 6-for-6 overall from the floor.

Although a much closer game than the series opener Sunday, Drake showed poise down the stretch and pulled away with a program-record 11^th straight victory.

ISU shot at a slightly higher clip than Drake from the floor, (50% to 47.2%), and put on a clinic from downtown, shooting 54.5% (6-of-11). The Bulldogs, however, made the biggest difference in scoring off turnovers, outscoring the Sycamores 27-7. Drake also made 19-of-28 free throws, while Indiana State was only able to get to the line 12 times, connecting on 10.

The Sycamores will leave town for their first Missouri Valley Conference road contest next weekend, taking on Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. Saturday, Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan 3 at 4 p.m.

For the latest information on Sycamore Basketball, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.