The IUS men’s basketball team won their finale in the IU-PU Challenge against Purdue North Central with a score of 88-60 on Nov. 12 in the Activities Building.
This is the third year in a row IU Southeast has won the challenge by winning all four games.
“Whenever we get a win, it’s good,” Wiley Brown, IUS men’s basketball head coach, said. “We didn’t play good though. We fouled too many times, and we need to pass more.”
Joe Lawson, forward sophomore, led the team with 14 points, four rebounds and four blocks during the game. Lawson said the different IU teams won more than the Purdue teams in the IU-PU Challenge over the four games played.
“I believe we played well,” Lawson said. “We’ve played better games, but, in the second half, we got it together.”
IU Southeast had a slow start to the game after scoring the first basket, and, at halftime, IU Southeast was in the lead, 35-28. With 10 fouls on IU Southeast, the team came out at the second half and had a dominant start.
“We hit our shots in the second half,” Lawson said. “In the first half, we weren’t hitting our shots as much. We definitely picked it up after halftime.”
Brown also received his 100th career victory with the win over Purdue North Central. It was announced after the game, and Brown was given a plaque for his accomplishment.
“I feel good about having 100 wins,” Brown said. “It’s all about the players ,though. I’ve been fortunate enough to coach good players and be around other good coaches. I’m very blessed to be able to coach such good, talented players.”
Martez Dow, guard junior, said the team played well, but not to their full potential.
“We struggled a little with our man-to-man defense, but, as the game went on, we adapted to it,” Dow said. “After halftime, our coach gave us a pep talk that really sparked our second half play. We have the talent to be so much better, and we plan to do nothing but progress from here on out.”
As a part of the IU-PU Challenge, an all-tournament team was announced postgame. IUS players Lawson, Spencer Allman, guard freshman, and Haris Batalevic, guard junior, were chosen to be a part of the all-tournament team.
By NICOLE BRANDUM
Staff
nbrandum@ius.edu
