.png&width=32&type=webp)
Purdue Fort Wayne
Oakland
Mastodons Rally Falls Short in League Opener against Oakland
12/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 5, 2009
Fort Wayne, IN - Summit League Preseason Player of the Year Johnathon Jones scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Oakland Golden Grizzlies past IPFW, 84-76 on Saturday night in front 3,426 fans at the Memorial Coliseum.
None of Jones' points were bigger than a dagger he put in the Mastodons' heart with 1:21 remaining.
The 'Dons trailed by eight with 3:25 left, but made a strong final run at Oakland. Senior guard Nick Daniels slashed to the hoop and got a tough layup to go. After a Jones free-throw, junior guard Ben Botts ripped a three from the top of the key to bring IPFW to within four at 74-70. On the next possession IPFW blanketed Oakland defensively, but with time winding down on the shot clock, Jones threw up a wild turnaround jumper that broke the 'Dons backs.
Jones also hit four free throws down the stretch to seal the win. In fact, Oakland was 23-25 from the stripe which tied a school record for free throw percentage in a game (92.0%).
Jones was joined in double figures by OU junior forward Keith Benson who registered a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Benson also blocked four shots.
"I thought we played well enough to give ourselves a shot at the end," IPFW head coach Dane Fife said. "We just couldn't get any stops. They kept pounding it in to Benson and we either fouled or gave up a layup. Our guys competed and I'm proud of the way they competed, but it comes down to playing defense."
IPFW was led by Botts with 19 points. The Muncie, Indiana native hit five triples in the game.
Five Mastodons scored in double-digits. Botts was joined by senior forward Deilvez Yearby who put in a 14 point, eight rebound effort. Yearby also blocked six shots and had four assists. Also scoring in double figures were junior guard Zach Plackemeier (12), Daniels (10) and sophomore guard Jeremy Mixon (10).
IPFW junior forward Antwone Snead registered his fourth 10-plus rebound game of the season with 10.
Oakland (4-4, 1-0 SL) edged IPFW on the boards, 37-36. The Golden Grizzlies shot 48.3% from the floor while the 'Dons hit 43.9%.
IPFW only went to the foul line 13 times in the game, making 10.
With the loss, IPFW falls to 2-4 and 0-1 in The Summit League. The Mastodons will return to action on Thursday night, traveling to Toledo, Ohio for a non-conference matchup with the Rockets. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
~Dons~
