ISU Sycamores win 61-60 heart-stopper on Valentines Day

TERRE HAUTE, IN (2-14-2006) – Indiana State won 61-60, in a heart-stopping game against Northern Iowa on Valentine’s Day at the Hulman Center. The Sycamores held on for the victory by preventing the Panthers to score on several opportunities in the waning seconds. The win is ISU’s third in its last five conference games and improves the Sycamores to 4-12 in MVC action and 11-13 overall. Northern Iowa drops from the conference lead with an 11-5 league record and 21-6 overall.

“Given where UNI is and the year they are having this was a good win for us,” head coach Royce Waltman said.

The Sycamores were sluggish out of the gate and fell behind early 9-0 after the first two minutes of the game. The Panthers expanded the lead to as much as ten when Grant Stout nailed a three-point basket for the 21-11 lead at the 11:48 mark.

ISU used a 14-4 run through the rest of the first half and went into the break tied, 29-29.

In the second half, the Panthers started strong again and built a lead over the first four minutes. The Sycamores would keep the game close as the gap between the schools never exceeded more than four the rest of the night.

Indiana State gained the lead for the first time in the second half after a David Moss jumper. Gabe Moore then came up with a steal, leading to an easy bucket at the 12:19 mark, making the lead 43-42.

The Sycamores would hold the lead for the remainder of the game, building it to as much as nine with 3:28 remaining in the game. UNI would make a late surge down the stretch, capitalizing on four Indiana State turnovers in the last two minutes of the game. The Panthers pulled to within one (60-51) with 26 seconds remaining on the clock.

Moss missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity with 25-seconds, but a UNI turnover and quick foul put Moss back on the line where he hit one of two free throws to bring the lead back to two for the Sycamores, 61-59.

The Panther’s Grant Stout had the chance to tie the game with five seconds on the clock, but only hit one of two free throws, but UNI corralled offensive rebound to get another chance. UNI had two inbounds plays in the final five seconds, but the Sycamore defense prevented the Panthers from getting a shot off, which sealed the win.

“After the 9-0 run at the start and up until the last couple of minutes, we played well,” said Waltman. “Our defense was better as we guarded a little harder tonight.”

Moore led ISU with 15 points and four steals. Moss added 14 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals in the win, while Tunnel rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points. Northern Iowa was led by preseason all-conference performer Ben Jacobsen with 21 points and 8 rebounds.

Indiana State finished the three-game home stand 2-1 and will travel to Western Michigan this Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:05 p.m., CST against the Broncos. USA-365.com provides live Internet audio streaming with Brian Fritz providing the play-by-play and Jim Waugh the color commentary. The pre-game show starts at 12:45 p.m. (CST), with the tip-off set for 1:05 p.m., CST / 2:05 p.m., EST on www.USA-365.com.

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