Balanced attack lifts ISU Sycamores past UT-Martin, 87-60

TERRE HAUTE, IN (12-22-2003) - Freshmen Eric Gray (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood HS) and Russell Trudeau (Lafayette, Ind./Catholic Central HS) turned in career highs as the Sycamores downed Tennessee-Martin 87-60, on Monday (Dec. 22) at Hulman Center. Gray came off the bench to pour in 14 points, while Trudeau made his second start of the season and scored eight. ISU jumped out to an early lead and never trailed in the game.

The Sycamores connected on 29-of-55 (.527) shots for the game. ISU led 21-12 midway through the first half and built their lead to 13 (38-25) after a layup from Amani Daanish (Los Angeles, Calif./Cowley CC) with 3:58 remaining in the first stanza. David Moss’ (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood HS) jumper with 34 seconds left in the half gave the Sycamores a 44-29 lead at intermission.

Tennessee-Martin cut the Sycamores’ lead to seven (52-45) with 12:34 left in the game, before ISU used a 10-0 run to surge ahead by 17 (62-45). The Skyhawks would draw no closer than 14 points the remainder of the game, as the Trees cruised to victory.

Moss led all scorers with 30 points, connecting on 10-of-13 shots, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. Tyson Schnitker (Robinson, Ill.) added nine points and five assists, while senior Catrel Green (Aurora, Ill./Feather River CC) led the Sycamores with eight rebounds.

Chris Carter led the Skyhawks (4-6) with twelve points and a game-high eleven rebounds. Tyler George and Jeremy Kelly added eleven and ten points, respectively. UTM finished the game 21-of-60 (.350) from the field. The Trees’ bench outscored their Skyhawk counterparts by a 35-19 count. UTM outscored ISU 24-22 in the paint, and enjoyed a 41-33 rebounding advantage.

The Sycamores (4-4) return to action on Wednesday, December 31, when they host the University of Evansville in the Missouri Valley Conference opener. Tip-off is set for 3:07 p.m., CST at Hulman Center. 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. Wednesday's pregame show starts at 2:40 p.m. and the tip-off is at 3:07 p.m., CST / 4:07 p.m., EST.

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