IUS crushes rival on homecoming

Alphonzo Bridgeman

February 16, 2014

IU Southeast men’s basketball team defeated IU East Saturday in a one-sided 103-78 victory. The team improved their record to 20-3 and 14-0 in the KIAC with the win.

Jordan Thompson, sophomore forward, slams through two of his four points.

An enthusiastic homecoming crowd was entertained by an array of dunks and relentless pressure put on by the No.2-ranked Grenadiers.

Jake Simpson, junior guard, said the easy buckets were a result of the team’s good passing.

“We shared the ball really well today and everyone was able to get involved.” Simpson said.

The Grenadiers got off to a fast start and led 30-5 at the 13:09 mark of the first half. At intermission the lead had grown to 35.

IU Southeast used pressure defense to force 16 first-half turnovers and finished the game with 22 points off giveaways.

“I think we played great defense, but we need to continue to work on it,” Simpson said.

The Grenadiers held IU East to 27 percent shooting in the first half, while IU Southeast shot 44 percent.

IU Southeast displayed a balanced attack led by Simpson’s 14 points and three steals. Vernon Payne, senior forward, added 13 points, six rebounds and four steals of his own. Kevin Mitchell, senior guard, finished with 11 points and four assist.

Kegan Clark, senior forward, dunks early in the first half. The Grenadiers led by 25 points just seven minutes into the game.

“We’ve been in the gym every day working as a team,” Mitchell said. “My teammates just keep finding me and getting me good shots.”

Twelve players scored for IU Southeast. The team received a significant contribution from their reserves with 47 points coming off the bench.

“The reason I like these kinds of games is because you can get guys in that don’t normally play,” Head Coach Wiley Brown said. “We were able to get them experience because we’re going to need them come tournament time.”

IU Southeast clinched the No. 1 seed in the KIAC Tournament and will host a home game on Tuesday, February 25.

“I feel like we have good team chemistry,” Mitchell said, “but it could be better and we will continue to work on it so were ready for the tournament.”

IU East was led in scoring by Tyler Fangman with 20 points. Vasha Davis added 13 points and six assist.