Men's Basketball | 1/9/2025 1:33:12 AM

Story courtesy of Indiana University Kokomo Athletics

OWENSBORO, Ky. - The IU Kokomo men's basketball team ran their win-streak to six games Wednesday evening in Owensboro, thrashing the Bearcats of Brescia 96-71. With the win, the Cougars improve to 11-4 overall and 2-1 in River States Conference play.

The IU Kokomo offense featured as balanced a scoring attack as it has all season long, with all eight active Cougars scoring at least six points, and six of them scoring in double figures. Evan Kretz led the group with 17 points, eight rebounds, and four steals, while Max Newman and Noah Harris followed closely behind.

Newman finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth-consecutive double-double, and Harris added 15 points plus four boards. Chris Chin poured in 13 points to go along with his five assists, while Kedric Anderson chipped in 11 and Joseph Annan Jr. contributed 10 first-half points.

DT Gary made his return to an IU Kokomo uniform Tuesday in Owensboro, joining the team again at the semester. Having played in the earlier years of the Coach Echelbarger era, Gary did what he does best in the road win, totaling six points, seven assists, and six rebounds. 

After Brescia scored the opening basket of the game on their first possession of the contest, IU Kokomo scored seven-straight points to lead by five just over two minutes in. A Chin free throw made it a 13-3 lead at the 15 minute mark of the first, paving the way for a dominant victory.

The IU Kokomo lead was single digits at nine midway through the first half, but a quick 9-0 run while leading 27-17 gave the Cougars a commanding 36-17 lead with 4:00 remaining in the first half. Coach Echelbarger and company led 46-26 at halftime Wednesday evening.

It was more of the same overpowering performance from the Cougars in half number two, as the lead ballooned to 31 thanks to a triple from Chin less than seven minutes into the half. Brescia would get within 22 points but never pose a real threat to the Cougar lead, as IU Kokomo cruised to a 25-point, 96-71 conference road win.

The Cougars will now return home to host IU Columbus Saturday afternoon in the first of three home games in eight days. Tip-off Saturday is set for 1:00 against the Crimson Pride inside the SAEC.