NEW ALBANY, Ind. – No. 4-ranked IU Southeast overcame an 11-point first half deficit to defeat KIAC newcomer IU Kokomo 96-82 on Saturday afternoon.

It was a game of back and forth runs for both teams. The game was tied at 12 with 13:44 to play in the first half before the Cougars went on a 16-5 run behind the play of Nick Teeter and Jared Lawrence. Lawrence had 15 points in the first half to pace the Cougars (2-10, 1-4 KIAC).

Then the Grenadiers (7-3, 2-0) went on a 30-14 run to take a 47-42 lead at halftime.

With IU Southeast leading 57-56 early in the second half, the offense finally came to life and the Grenadiers went on a 22-7 run to put the game away. Jake Simpson had a huge game with 23 points, Cameron Mitchell had 19. The Cougars had no answer for Vernon Payne in the second half as he scored 10 of his 14 points in the final frame and added nine rebounds. Kevin Mitchell finished with 11 points.

Teeter had 22 points for the Cougars in the loss.

IU Southeast shot well on the day (57 percent), but allowed the Cougars to shoot 49 percent from the field and 42 percent (8-19) from three-point range.

IU Southeast is back in action on Dec. 31 when the Grenadiers host Miami-Hamilton at 2 p.m.