TERRE
HAUTE, IN (12-2-2004) – The Indiana State men’s basketball team
reached the .500 mark (2-2) after posting a 62-55 victory over the
Birmingham-Southern Panthers in front of 3,225 at Hulman Center Thursday (Dec.
2) night. The Sycamores shot 44.7 percent from the field, while holding the
Panthers to just 41.7 percent shooting.The Sycamores were led by Amani Daanish, who scored 14 points. The Los Angeles, Calif., native was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and 4-of-8 from the free throw line. Daanish also led the Trees in rebounding with eight boards. It was the third time this year Daanish has led all participants in rebounds. Guards Eric Gray and David Moss scored 13 and 12 respectively.
Birmingham-Southern received a solid effort from Thomas Viglianco, who led the Panthers with 19 points. Jakon Sigurdarson pitched in 17, while James Collins added eight in the losing effort.
Both teams started the game strong, exchanging the lead on five occasions. After Sigurdarson hit a three-pointer to give Birmingham-Southern a 22-21 lead, ISU forward Jerod Adler hit a three of his own to take back the lead, 24-22. The Sycamores would go on to score 11 more unanswered points to take a 35-22 advantage into the locker room after the first 20 minutes of play, a lead that they would never relinquish.
ISU returns to the court on Saturday, Dec. 4 when they continue a four-game homestand against Eastern Illinois. Tip-off is set for 6:05 p.m., CST at Hulman Center. 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 5:40 p.m., with the tip-off set for 6:05 p.m., CST (7:05 p.m., EST) on www.USA-365.com.