ISU Sycamores bite Butler Bulldogs 57-54

TERRE HAUTE, IN (12-11-2004) – Indiana State battled back from an early 15-point deficit behind 29 points from David Moss to earn a hard fought 57-54 victory over intrastate rival Butler on Saturday (Dec. 11) night at Hulman Center. The win gives ISU a sweep of its four-game homestand and a 5-2 record overall, while Butler falls to 3-3 on the season.

“Anytime you can dig back from behind and win a game it is great for the players,” said head coach Royce Waltman. “That is what we did tonight and it was a good win.”

Butler used an early 12-0 run to take a 19-4 lead at the 12:26 mark of the first half. The Sycamores used their own 10-0 run to cut the lead down to 21-16 with five minutes left in the opening stanza. The two teams went scoreless for the final 3:43 of the period and the Bulldogs went into the break with a 25-19 lead.

The Sycamores started the second half with a 12-3 run to take its first lead of the game. The lead changed hands six more times until Moss broke a 48-48 tie with a three-point shot at the 2:23 mark.

The teams traded baskets over the next two minutes, before Butler forward Nick Brooks made a jumper and drew a foul to cut the lead to 55-54. Brooks missed the free throw but the Bulldogs earned the possession on a jump ball alternate possession.

After a timeout with 24 seconds left, Brooks missed a three-pointer and Moss pulled down the rebound drew a foul. He made both free throws to give ISU a 57-54 lead with 0:06 remaining. Butler guard Bruce Horan had a good look for a three-point shot to tie the score at the buzzer but the shot rimmed out for an ISU victory.

Moss scored 20 of his season-high 29 points in the second half, including the final nine points of the game. Moss finished 11-of-17 from the floor with eight rebounds and four assists in 40 minutes of action.

The Sycamores finished 15-26 (57.7%) from the floor in the second half after shooting only 9-26 (34.6%) in the first half. Amani Dannish finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Butler was led by Brooks and Horan with 13 points each, while A.J. Graves chipped in 11.

The Sycamores hit the road for four straight games, starting with a game at Ball State on Saturday (Dec. 18) at 3:00 p.m., CST. ISU will then travel to Hawaii for three games at the Outrigger Rainbow Classic. USA-365.com provides live Internet audio streaming with Brian Fritz providing the play-by-play and Jim Waugh with the color commentary. The pre-game show starts at 2:40 p.m., with the tip-off set for 3:00 p.m., CST (4:00 p.m., EST) on www.USA-365.com.

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