Indiana State men’s basketball coach Kevin McKenna said Friday that he doesn’t want dramatic improvement in production from the eight healthy Sycamores, just a bucket or two extra per game.
McKenna’s cup must have runneth over when he looked at the box score from ISU’s 76-66 victory over Drake on Saturday at Hulman Center.
Aaron Carter? He averages 5.7 points per game. He scored 17 points and had four rebounds. Koang Doluony? He averages just three points per game. He contributed a career-high 11 points and made every one of his five field goal attempts. Isiah Martin? He averages 3.2 points per game, he had eight points.
But Rashad Reed’s line was most telling. The senior nearly doubled his scoring average with a team-high 18 points and his assist-to-turnover ratio was 7-to-1. His seven assists tied a career-high.
Overall, ISU’s assist-to-turnvoer ratio was 17-to-3. ISU’s per-game turnover records go back to 1995 in school media guides and it’s the lowest turnover total amassed since then.
“We talked about that being a world record for our team. Moving the ball and creating shots and we stayed patient. Guys did a super job of being patient, just waiting for that open look, for that open guy. Skip-passes, ball-fakes, we got it in the paint a lot. The guys did a good job of executing,” ISU coach Kevin McKenna said.
“They were running a wide zone and once we got the ball reversed, we had good ball movement. Nobody dominated the ball. Once we got the ball moving from side-to-side, it was just us penetrating the gaps and finding the right play,” Reed said.
Though ISU took care of the ball, it wasn’t an easy victory. Drake shot 50 percent from 3-point range and drained 60 percent from long-range in the second half. Until the final minutes, ISU (15-11, 7-8) was never able to break away to more than a 10-point advantage.
But Drake couldn’t put another stops together to take advantage of its shooting.
“In order to make a comeback on the road, you have to make stops. They shot 48 percent in the second half. You can’t overcome a 10-point lead with them shooting it like that, and also, not turning the ball over,” Drake coach Mark Phelps said. “To have three [turnovers] for the game, get 51 shots off and to also get to free throw line 18 times, they had every offensive statistic go in their favor.”
Drake led 7-0 to start the game when ISU got cooking from 3-point range. Reed, Jordan Printy and Carter all hit three’s in succession as the Sycamores took the lead.
Carter went on to score 14 in the first half as ISU built a 10-point halftime advantage. Along the way he converted his third four-point play of the season.
“I feel the contact and I might act a little bit, but not much,” jested Carter on his propensity for four-point plays.
Doluony also got into the act, scoring seven. He didn’t miss a shot on his way to his career-high for scoring.
“Early in the season, I was struggling and I kind of lost confidence. He told me to get in the gym and practice. I’ve been going in the gym at 7 a.m. to work on my shot and practice and I think that showed today,” Doluony said.
Drake (11-16, 6-9) came right back at the Sycamores in the second half. A strange reversal of a double-dribble violation by Drake led to a Josh Young 3-pointer and fueled a 9-2 Bulldog run to get Drake within three. ISU responded with an 8-3 run to restore its 10-point lead, but Drake kept firing away from long-range. A pair of 3-pointers by Ben Simons, he had five in the game, tied the game at 49 with 11:03 left.
Instead of letting momentum get away from them, the Sycamores buckled down. A 15-5 run helped ISU take a 64-54 lead with 6:28 left.
“We have a glass half-full type of outlook. I don’t think you look at our guys and feel a sense of panic. I think they have a sense of confidence and a team feel that we’re going to find a way to get it done. Even though we haven’t done it every time, our guys have battled. I’ve really been proud of their effort, especially given our situation missing some players,” McKenna said.
Drake had no response this time, getting no closer than nine points for the remainder of the game.
“We took a couple of tough shots on our end while they continued to score. You can’t really overcome [ISU’s] offensive numbers on the road to win a Valley game,” Phelps said.
It was ISU’s first win since it was reduced to an eight-man rotation by injuries on Feb. 3. After a near-miss at Wichita State on Feb. 6 and a poorly-played loss at Creighton on Feb. 9, it meant a lot for the healthy Sycamores to prove they could win with the current roster.
“It’s huge for our confidence as a team, we proved we can do it without some important guys on our team. For the eight of us to come together and play well and get the job done is great for us,” Carter said.
With the victory, ISU gained the tiebreaker advantage over Drake as it swept the season series with the Bulldogs for the first time since 2000. The Sycamores have seventh-place to themselves, pending Missouri State’s game with Wichita State today. If the Bears lose, ISU will be tied for sixth.
ISU is also one win short of clinching its first winning season since 2001. But McKenna isn’t concerned with any of that right now.
ISU next plays host to Bradley on Tuesday. The Braves defeated 19th-ranked Northern Iowa 68-59 on Saturday in Peoria.
“I think all the guys are thinking about is Bradley on Tuesday. They just beat Northern Iowa, if that doesn’t get their attention, I don’t know what will. All we know for sure is we have five games left,” McKenna said.
Drake 66
Min FG 3P FT R A PF TP
Templeton 34 4-10 4-7 0-0 9 1 3 12
VanDeest 22 3-8 0-1 2-2 1 1 4 8
Wedel 29 1-7 1-2 1-2 2 3 0 4
Wiseler 24 1-5 0-2 0-0 1 2 1 2
Young 39 8-14 4-7 1-1 5 6 3 21
Hawley 9 0-2 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0
Eaddy 11 0-1 0-1 1-2 4 0 2 1
Whitaker 0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0
Simons 25 5-10 5-8 0-0 4 0 1 15
Uhlenhopp 7 1-1 1-1 0-0 1 0 2 3
Totals 23-59 15-30 5-7 31* 13 17 66
Indiana State 76
Min FG 3P FT R A PF TP
Richard 37 1-9 1-2 3-4 9 2 1 6
Crawford 16 1-2 0-1 2-2 5 0 3 4
Reed 34 4-11 3-7 7-8 5 7 3 18
Printy 36 5-8 2-5 0-0 4 5 0 12
Carter 37 6-10 3-5 2-2 4 1 0 17
Leitnaker 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0
Doluony 21 5-5 1-1 0-0 2 1 2 11
Martin 16 3-6 0-0 2-2 3 1 3 8
Totals 25-51 10-21 16-18 34* 17 12 76
Halftime score — ISU 38, DU 28. FG Pct. — DU .390, ISU .490. 3P Pct. — DU .500. ISU .476. FT Pct. — DU .714, ISU .889. Steals — DU 2 (Wedel, Wiseler), ISU 3 (Ricahrd 2). Blocks — DU 0, ISU 4 (Martin 2). Turnovers — DU 6 (Templeton 2, Young 2), ISU 3 (Richard, Crawford, Reed). Team rebounds* — DU 3, ISU 2. A — 5,127.
Next — ISU (15-11, 7-8) will play host to Bradley and Drake (11-16, 6-9) will play host to Southern Illinois on Tuesday.
College
Related Photos
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Driving through: Indiana State's Aaron Carter drives against Drake's Adam Templeton (44) and Seth VanDeest during the Sycamores' win Saturday at Hulman Center. (Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza) Joseph C. Garza
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J.C. is open: Indiana State's Koang Dulouny dishes the ball to an open Josh Crawford as Dulouny is covered by a trio of Drake defenders Saturday at Hulman Center. (Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza) Joseph C. Garza
Discussion
ISU men have just three turnovers in 76-66 win over Drake
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Indiana State connects on all 12 of its 3-point shots vs. SIU and sets three NCAA records in process
When you’re a shooter and you’re in a slump, the boilerplate cure is to summon amnesia, forget about your struggles and keep on shooting.
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ISU's Webb wins heptathlon
Indiana State’s Robert Webb captured the heptathlon Saturday at the Grand Valley State Big Meet as he totaled the second most points in ISU history while dominating the event. Webb scored 5,140 points, which is second only to former Sycamore Anthony Bertoli’s 5,189 points in 2008.
Webb, a senior, established three more personal best efforts enroute to the overall victory as he ran 8.45 in the 60 meter hurdles and 2 minutes, 50.73 seconds in the 1,000 meters while also clearing 13-1 1/2 in the pole vault. Webb entered the second day of the event in the lead with 2,893 points after winning three of the four Friday events and setting personal bests in the long jump and shot put. -
Perfect game: ISU shoots NCAA record 12-for-12 from 3-point range in win over SIU
Indiana State set an NCAA record for 3-point percentage and consecutive 3-pointers made Saturday afternoon in Hulman Center, connecting on all 12 attempts during a 78-68 win over Southern Illinois.
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‘Frustrated’ Sycamores regroup to face Southern Illinois
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Thomas nets double-double as ISU women end losing streak
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Sycamore women looking to snap six-game losing streak
The Indiana State women’s basketball team is in dire need of a victory in Hulman Center this weekend.
Bradley visits Terre Haute tonight looking to sweep the season series from the Sycamores, who are in jeopardy of the program’s first seven-game losing streak since the 1995-96 season.
“I think it should [add to motivation]. There’s no doubt that group in the locker room in there is very disappointed,” Coach Teri Moren said. “As I keep saying, we’re in a rough patch right now, and there’s no group of kids that wants to get right back on track more than they do.” -
Leonard dominates in first half, but IU, Zeller earn the victory
The first half belonged to Illinois’ Meyers Leonard.
The win belonged to Indiana and Cody Zeller.
The 23rd-ranked Hoosiers (19-6, 7-6 Big Ten) took advantage of a glaring free-throw discrepancy to defeat the Illini 84-71 on Thursday. -
Rose women roll; Dickerson becomes all-time assists leader
Rose-Hulman senior Alisa Dickerson became the college’s career leader in assists as the Engineers cruised past Defiance 60-33 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference women’s basketball Saturday afternoon in Hulbert Arena.
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MVC’s worst a tantalizing option for ISU
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Sycamores can’t stop Stutz, Shockers
All or nothing. It was that kind of game for Wichita State center Garrett Stutz. Unfortunately for Indiana State’s men’s basketball team, the “all” came in the second half.
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McWhorter’s fortunes rise with ISU’s
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Johnson dominates again for ISU track
Felisha Johnson continued to dominate women’s weight throw while two Indiana State hurdlers moved into today’s finals after solid performances in the preliminaries Friday at the Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame.
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Indiana State women lose at Illinois State
Playing short-handed again, Indiana State’s women suffered their sixth straight Missouri Valley Conference basketball loss Friday night, falling 78-67 to host Illinois State.
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Indiana, Purdue meet with both looking to regain momentum
Indiana University’s stint in the Top 25 may be coming to an end. Purdue is just looking for a winning streak.
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ISU women looking to end five-game losing streak at Illinois State
Within a few points in the final minutes, Indiana State had chances to win women’s basketball games at Missouri State and Wichita State last weekend.
But the Sycamores lost for the fourth and fifth straight games, also losing freshman Jessica Valley for the season at Wichita State. The promising backcourt player tore the ACL in her right knee and began strengthening exercises this week in order to make plans for surgery. -
ISU Senior Day game to be televised on ESPN
The Missouri Valley Conference announced Thursday that Indiana State’s regular season finale against No. 12-ranked Creighton on Feb. 25 in Hulman Center has been chosen as the MVC’s “wild card” game that will be telecast on either ESPN or ESPN2.
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Hoosiers load up on in-state players
With a 1-11 record in his first season as IU football coach, Kevin Wilson knew there were a lot of holes to fill in terms of personnel.
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It’s on: Sycamores, Bulldogs to play at Hinkle on Feb. 18
How badly did Indiana State want to get Butler as its BracketBusters opponent?
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METRO ROUNDUP: Four from Rose receive weekly honors
Four Rose-Hulman athletes earned Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference weekly honors, the HCAC announced Monday.
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Hoosiers reclaim needed offensive momentum
Indiana hadn’t allowed an opponent to shoot better than 40 percent in three straight games heading into Sunday’s home game against Iowa.
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Sycamores will have to match Aces’ toughness
Indiana State men’s basketball coach Greg Lansing has an enduring respect for the toughness Evansville coach Marty Simmons coaxes out of his Purple Aces.
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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Rose, The Woods post weekend victories
Rose-Hulman relied on a balanced scoring attack and a strong defensive effort to earn a 55-44 women’s basketball victory Saturday over Mount St. Joseph.
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ISU's Stacia Weatherford sets school record in 60-meter hurdles
Indiana State junior Stacia Weatherford set the school record in the women’s 60-meter hurdles, while sophomore Greggmar Swift dominated the action in the men’s 60 hurdles during competition Saturday at the Indiana Relays.
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Rose takes first in Engineer Track and Field Invitational
Rose-Hulman relied on nine event victories, 13 top-two finishes and three school records for a strong performance at the ninth annual Engineer Track and Field Invitational on Saturday.
The men’s squad captured first place honors in a meet that featured two of the nation's top 20 NCAA Division III squads and 12 institutions from seven states. The day’s competition also included 10 meet records. -
Mattox’s 31 not enough for ISU women
Indiana State pulled within 63-57 with a 6-0 run with 8 minutes, 50 seconds remaining Friday night at JQH Arena, but the Sycamores lost 84-70 to host Missouri State in a Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball game.
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Mattox, Sycamores staying positive on road trip to Missouri State, Wichita State
Indiana State seniors Brittany Schoen and Deja Mattox are within striking distance of passing 1,000 points in their women’s basketball careers, and they would join classmate Shannon Thomas in that club. Schoen needs just 16 points, while Mattox is 89 points away.
But Mattox has been on a roll of late, scoring a team-high 15.1 points through ISU’s 4-3 start to Missouri Valley Conference play. -
IU triumphs
When Indiana’s Will Sheehey left the floor after receiving his second technical foul, the Hoosier fans cheered.
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ISU women nipped at buzzer
Creighton sophomore Carli Tritz — blanketed by Indiana State senior Brittany Schoen — had just two points at halftime Friday in Hulman Center.
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ISU needs to find chip on its shoulder
When one looks back at the totality of Indiana State’s 2010-11 men’s basketball season, there’s a recurrent theme that tied together the high points in a 20-14 campaign. A recurrent theme that might give ISU a lifeline in what has been a disappointing 2012 season.
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