.png&width=32&type=webp)
Purdue Fort Wayne
Indiana State
Sycamores Hold Off Mastodons
11/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2006
Fort Wayne, IN- Indiana State had just enough left in the tank to hold off IPFW down the stretch in a 67-61 win over the Mastodons, on Sunday afternoon at the Memorial Coliseum.
Even though the Sycamores missed 7 of 12 foul shots with less than three-minutes to play, IPFW couldn't capitalize because of an off shooting night. The Mastodons, who like to shoot the three, were only 7-25 from behind the arc.
The Mastodons led most of the first half, but Indiana State began to open up a bit of a cushion late and led 37-29 at the intermission.
IPFW (1-3) trailed by as many as 15 in the second half, before mounting a furious comeback.
Junior forward Pat Lepper cut the Sycamore lead to single digits (54-45) with a three-pointer at the 8:18 mark.
Four consecutive points, in a little over a minute, by senior center Tyler Best drew the Mastodons to within five at 56-51.
The next trip down the floor, ISU junior forward Todd McCoy slashed to the basket but missed his dunk attempt. IPFW pushed the ball the other way and junior forward DeWitt Scott drove to the hoop and was fouled while making a layup.
Scott converted the old-fashioned three-point play to draw IPFW to with two at 56-54.
The Sycamore lead remained two, at the 2:53 mark, but ISU began to re-take control of the game.
Senior forward Trent Wertz blew past the IPFW defense, at the top of the key, and threw down a two-handed dunk to make the score 60-56.
IPFW would get no closer, as they couldn't capitalize on the spotty foul-shooting of the Sycamores the rest of the way. The Mastodons finished shooting just 37.3% from the floor, while ISU ripped the cords for 50%. Wurtz was the offensive force for Indiana State (2-1), leading all scorers with 21 points on 8-11 from the floor and 5-9 from the line. He also hauled down nine boards. Freshman guard Marico Stinson, seeing his most action of the season, was the only other Sycamore in double-figures with 13 points. IPFW was led by senior guard Quintin Carouthers with 14 points, including three dunks. Scott chipped in 13 points, while Best added 10 points and nine rebounds. The Mastodons return to action on Tuesday night (11/21), traveling to Macomb, Illinois to take on future Mid-Con foe Western Illinois. Tip-off is set for 8pm (EST).
~Dons~
