ISU Sycamores down Gardner-Webb, 67-53

TERRE HAUTE, IN (11-23-2003) - The Indiana State University men’s basketball team opened the 2003-04 campaign with a 67-53 victory over Gardner-Webb University. The win moves the Sycamores to 63-14 all-time in season openers, and ups their mark to 53-12 when opening the season at home.

Junior Amani Daanish (Los Angeles, Calif./Cowley CC) led all scorer with 17 points. Daanish and teammate Catrel Green (Aurora, Ill./Feather River CC) each recorded a game-high nine rebounds. Senior Marcus Howard (Elgin, Ill.) posted 15 points, while sophomore David Moss (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood HS) finished the game with twelve points.

Robert Shivers and Simon Conn led Gardner-Webb, as each posted ten points. Brian Bender led the Running Bulldogs with six rebounds. GWU was plagued by seventeen turnovers, fourteen of which came in the first half. Conversely, ISU committed just 12 turnovers for the game.

With the game tied 13-13, midway through the first half, ISU used an 18-5 run to close out the half and take a 31-18 lead into halftime. The Sycamores built their lead to 15 twice during the second half, but saw GWU come within five points (54-49) late in the game.

Two free throw from Daanish pushed ISU ahead 56-49, before a layup by Moss gave the Sycamores some breathing room at 58-49. The trees outscored GWU 9-4 in the last four minutes of the game to cap the scoring.

ISU (1-0) enjoyed an edge in rebounding (39-33), particularly on the offensive glass where the Sycamores finished with 17 offensive rebounds. Indiana State also made their foul shots count, as they outscored the Bulldogs (1-3) at the free throw line 13-2.

The Sycamores return to action on Saturday (Nov. 29) when they face DePaul University in game one of the Coca-Cola Classic, hosted by Michigan State University. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m., CST. 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 show starts at 2:40 p.m. and the tip-off is at 3:00 p.m., CST / 4:00 p.m., EST.

Box Score