SMS Bears edge ISU Sycamores, 69-63

SPRINGFIELD, MO (1-15-2004) - Trailing by as many as 20 points (46-26) in the second half, the Indiana State University men’s basketball team cut Southwest Missouri State’s lead to three (63-60) late in the second half before falling 69-63, in front of 6,242 at Hammons Center. The Bears held on for the win despite not scoring a field goal during the final 7:09 of the game.

ISU (6-7, 2-3 MVC) managed just seven points during the first 13 minutes of play, as the Sycamores fell behind 24-7. The Trees used a 16-7 run late in the half to cut the Bears’ lead to eight (31-23) at halftime.

With the Bears holding an eight-point edge under a minute to play, Russell Trudeau (Lafayette, Ind./Catholic Central HS) was fouled on a three-point shot attempt. Trudeau made all three free throws, cutting the SMS lead to five (62-57). A free throw by Deven Mitchell pushed the lead back to six (63-57) before David Moss (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood HS) hit a three-point shot to cut the lead in half (63-60) with 33 seconds remaining in the game. The Bears then made six consecutive free throws to salt the game away.

Moss led the Sycamores with twelve points, while Trudeau scored a career-high eleven points. Jerod Adler (Monroe, Ind./Adams Central HS) chipped in with seven points and a team-high six rebounds.

SMS (11-5, 3-2 MVC) had four players score in double figures. Blake Ahearn led all scorers with 18 points, while Merrill Andrews added 17 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Monwell Randle and Tamarr Maclin added eleven and ten points, respectively.

The Bears were 33-of-47 from the free throw line, as ISU was whistled for 31 personal fouls during the game. The Sycamores finished 16-of-19 from the charity stripe. ISU’s bench outscored SMS 22-11.

Indiana State returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 17) when the Sycamores visit the Wichita State Shockers. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. CST at Charles Koch Arena. 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. Saturday's pregame shows start at 6:40 p.m. and the tip-off is at 7:05 p.m., CST / 8:05 p.m., EST.

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