ISU Sycamores fall to Butler, 57-39

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (12-20-2003) - The Indiana State men’s basketball team suffered a 57-39 defeat at Butler University on Saturday (Dec. 20). The Sycamores connected on a season-low 13 field goals (13-of-43) in the loss. ISU held the Bulldogs to .360
(18-of-50) shooting from the floor, but was unable to capitalize offensively.

Butler (4-4) jumped out to an early 12-2 lead, as the Sycamores’ only field goal of the first ten minutes came from Amani Daanish (Los Angeles, Calif./Cowley CC). A three-point shot from Marcus Howard (Elgin, Ill.) cut Butler’s lead to four points (12-8) with 8:28 left in the first half, but the Bulldogs built their lead back up to twelve (28-16) going into halftime.

The Sycamores (3-4) made the first two baskets of the second half to cut Butler’s lead to eight (28-20). With the Bulldogs leading 33-21, Daanish scored to move ISU within ten (33-23). David Moss (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood HS) was the only Sycamore that would score from that point on, as he strung together 16 straight points over the last 15:43 of the game. The Trees were as close as seven points (33-26), but were unable to make a run in the late stages of the game.

Moss led all scorers with 23 points, while Ted Morris (St. Louis, Mo./Chaminade HS) added six points and four rebounds off the bench. Mike Monserez scored 20 points for BU and grabbed a game-high eleven rebounds. Bruce Horan added 12 points for the Bulldogs, while Avery Sheets chipped in eight.

The Sycamores return to action on Monday (Dec. 22) when they host the University of Tennessee-Martin. Tip-off is set for 6:05 p.m., CST at Hulman Center. The entire Sycamores' 2003-2004 men's basketball season will be carried live via Internet Audio streaming on USA-365.com. Brian Fritz calls the play-by-play and Jim Waugh provides the color commentary. Monday's pregame show starts at 5:40 p.m. and the tip-off is at 6:05 p.m., CST / 7:05 p.m., EST.

Box Score