NEW ALBANY, Ind. - The IU Southeast men's basketball team won a physical game on Saturday afternoon, defeating the University of the Cumberlands (NAIA Division I) 78-72 at home in New Albany, Ind.
The No. 7-ranked Grenadiers (NAIA Division II) downed the visiting Patriots of Cumberlands to revenge a 83-64 loss on Nov. 2, 2009 in Williamsburg, Ky. during both team's first game of the season.
Cumberlands entered Saturday's game ranked No. 9 in the most recent NAIA Division I Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
IU Southeast (11-3, 1-0 KIAC) was led by junior
Jazzmarr Ferguson (Louisville, Ky. / Moore H.S.) with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Senior George White (Louisville, Ky.) scored 15 points with four rebounds and two assists for the Grenadiers. Freshman Brice Mitchell (Louisville, Ky.) rounded out double-digit scores for IU Southeast with 15 points and four rebounds. Ferguson led all rebounders for the Grenadiers with eight total rebounds.
The Grenadiers shot 48-percent from field goal range (27-of-56) and 32-percent from behind the 3-pt. arc (6-of-19). IU Southeast connected on 18 of its 22 free-throw attempts (82-percent). IU Southeast depended heavily on its starters with only 11 of its 78 total points coming from off the bench.
IU Southeast jumped out to an early 29-9 lead over Cumberlands with hot shooting from the field. As the shooting of Grenadiers cooled a little in the second part of the first half, Cumberlands fought back to narrow the scoring gap by end of the half.
IU Southeast led by only eight points at halftime, 39-31.
Cumberlands (10-4 / 0-0 MSC) was led by Nathaniel Mitchell with 23 points and three assists. Travis Harvey recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Brandon Russ also earned a double-double for the Patriots with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Travis led all rebounders in the game with 14.
Cumberlands shot 38-percent from the field and 33-percent from beyond the arc with 17 of their 72 total points coming off the bench.
IU Southeast stole the ball for a total of nine times with its tough defensive full-court pressure. IU Southeast was beat on the boards throughout the afternoon, being out-rebounded 42 to 27. The Grenadiers did protect the ball well throughout the game, only turning it over 10 times compared to Cumberlands 16 total turnovers.
The IU Southeast men's basketball team will host regional-campus rival Indiana University East (8-6 / 0-0 KIAC) on Wednesday evening, Jan 6 at 7 p.m. for a Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) game.
Doors open at 6 p.m. on Wednesday night. Ticket prices for the event are $7 for adult general admission and free of charge for children 12 years old or younger. IU Southeast season tickets can also be purchased at the door for $25.
Final Box Score
