#5 IU East beats Ohio Christian in #RSCgotw Men's Basketball, 70-62
By IU East Sports Information
RICHMOND, Ind. - The Indiana University East men's basketball team held on for a 70-62 home win over Ohio Christian Dec. 3 in the River States Conference Men's Basketball Game of the Week. IU East finished the game on a 15-6 run after falling behind 56-55 with less than five minutes remaining.
The NAIA Division II No. 5 Red Wolves improved to 10-1 overall and 2-0 in the league. The Trailblazers are 5-6 overall and 0-1 in the conference. IU East and Ohio Christian were first and second, respectively, in the River States Conference East Division preseason poll.
KEY MOMENTS
* After Marquis Jackson put Ohio Christian ahead 56-55 with a pair of free throws with 4:25 remaining, IU East senior Kyle Pipenger scored on a drive on the next possession to put the Red Wolves back in front.
* One possession later, freshman Bishop Smith – fresh off of the bench - made a 3-pointer that put the Red Wolves ahead 60-56. IU East held at least a two-possession lead the rest of the way.
* Two items from the "big plays don't always show up on the stat sheet" department: 1) Aaron Thomas' near-block on an Ohio Christian drive with just under three minutes to go caused an errant shot from point-blank range and kept the momentum in IU East's favor, and 2) Bishop Smith recovered quickly on defense to prevent an Ohio Christian breakaway after a Red Wolf turnover on the next possession to keep the IU East lead at six.
* IU East led by as much as 47-30 early in the second half.
SIGNIFICANT STATS
* IU East shot .465 overall and .500 (8 for 16) from 3-point land. Ohio Christian shot .333 overall and .263 (5 for 19) from behind the arc.
* Jacoby Claypool scored 21 points for IU East.
* Aaron Thomas scored IU East's first nine points and also finished the game with 14 rebounds.
* Marquis Jackson led Ohio Christian with 19 points.
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
"Ohio Christian is a really great team, a tough team. They fought really hard, and it's a credit to them."
"We are really comiong together as a squad. Getting to 2-0 in the conference is huge. Every conference game is a big game, and we've got to come out and play every time. This conference is so strong, and we've got to get these wins to get back to where we were last year." - IU East senior guard Kyle Pipenger
NEXT UP
IU East visits Trinity International University on Dec. 6. Tipoff is 7 p.m. IU East time.