Sycamores ground Seahawks in overtime, 92-86


TERRE HAUTE, IN (12-21-2006) - The Indiana State Sycamores survived an overtime battle with the Wagner Seahawks Thursday, posting a 92-86 win at the the Hulman Center behind Gabriel Moore's 29 points.  The Sycamores improve to 6-4 overall and will host the Purdue Boilermakers next Thursday.

“It’s nice to have a player like Gabe,” ISU coach Royce Waltman said.  “Someone who can make plays when other players are not playing well.”

Indiana State trailed for most of the game, tying the score at 60 on a Cole Holmstrom jumper and again at 72 on two free throws by Moore.  Holmstrom nailed a three pointer to give ISU only its second lead of the game with 4:53 left in regulation.  Wagner came back and took a 78-76 lead with just 12 seconds left.

Moore was fouled on a drive to the bucket with just four seconds left, but missed both opportunities.  The ball bounced the Sycamores' way as the rebound found its way back to Moore, who missed the jumper but Jay Tunnell was there to put it back up and in to tie the game at the buzzer.

Tunnell made 5-of-6 free throws and scored on a short jumper as ISU took control midway through the overtime period, outscoring the Seahawks 10-2 in the final three minutes of the game.

Wagner scored the first nine points of the game as the Sycamores struggled early from the field.  ISU fought back to trail 11-7 but Wagner surged ahead 22-12 midway through the opening period.  An 11-3 Sycamore run cut the deficit to two, 23-25, but Wagner’s Matt Vitale knocked down a pair of treys to extend the Wagner lead to eight.

The Sycamores came back on an 8-2 run, Gabriel Moore making two free throws after Wagner coach Mike Deane was called for a technical, as ISU trailed 35-34 with 1:08 left which is where the game stood at the half.

Tunnell had 17 points for the Sycamores with Trent Wurtz scoring 15, Adam Arnold had 13, and Holmstrohm 10.  It was the second time this season that ISU had five players score in double figures.  Arnold had the first double-double of his career with 10 rebounds to go along with his 13 points.

Box Score

The Sycamores will return to the court on Thursday, December 28 when Indiana State hosts the Boilermakers of Purdue in the Hulman Center.  Tip-off is scheduled for 6:05 p.m., CST / 7:05 p.m., EST.  Live Internet Radio coverage on www.USA-365.com begins with the pregame show at 5:40 p.m., CST / 6:40 p.m., EST.
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Revised: December 24, 2006 .