Huge Second Half Run Pushes IUPUI Past IPFW, 86-77

Thursday, February 3

Indianapolis, Ind.

7:00 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

IUPUI

Frank Gaines tied a career-high with 22 points vs. IUPUI

Huge Second Half Run Pushes IUPUI Past IPFW, 86-77

2/3/2011 10:23:24 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Indianapolis, IN - IUPUI went on an 18-2 run to begin the second half and all five Jaguar starters scored in double figures as the Jags topped the IPFW Mastodons, 86-77 on Thursday night at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

Junior guard/forward Alex Young led all scorers with 23 and Stephen Thomas and Sean Esposito recorded career-high's with 19 and 18 points, respectively. But it was the 3-point shooting of Esposito that broke the game wide open.

IPFW had led for most of the first half, until a Leroy Nobles layup gave IUPUI a 35-34 lead with 1:12 remaining. Esposito hit his second triple of the half at the buzzer to push the Jaguars' lead to four at the break.

In the second half, Esposito hit three 3-pointers in the span of three minutes to take IUPUI to a 20-point lead at 56-36.

IPFW would go on an 11-2 run of their own to get back into it. Sophomore guard Frank Gaines got to the rim three times and converted two of the three old-fashioned three point plays.

And on a triple by senior guard Ben Botts, IPFW had drawn to within six at 66-60 with 9:19 left.

However, that is as close as the 'Dons would get the rest of the way, falling by nine.

IUPUI (14-10, 8-3 SL) moves into sole possession of second place in The Summit League with the win.

IPFW was led by Gaines with a career-high tying 22 points. Senior guard Zach Plackemeier added 16, while junior guard Jeremy Mixon chipped in 12.

Now, 14-8 and 8-4 in league play, IPFW falls into third place in conference. It is the first time this season that the 'Dons have not been either in first or second place.

The Mastodons will look to get back on the winning track at Western Illinois (7-15, 2-9 SL) on Saturday night in Macomb, Illinois. Game time is 8:00 p.m.

~Dons~