GEORGETOWN, Ky. – A jumper by
Camden Pfeister with just under five seconds to go propelled IU Southeast to a monumental 69-67 win over No. 3 Georgetown in the season opener on Friday.
IU Southeast was held without a basket for the first four minutes of the game as Georgetown led 7-0. Both offenses went cold as Georgetown held a 17-6 lead eight minutes into the game.
IU Southeast cut the lead to three at 19-16 but the lead swelled back to eight at 24-16. IU Southeast clawed back, but it was Georgetown who held on to a narrow 31-29 lead at the half.
Georgetown opened the second half with relentless energy, extending their lead to 11 at 42-31. Once again, however, IU Southeast clawed back to make it a one-point game at 49-48.
A pair of IU Southeast free throws tied the game at 54-54 with eight minutes remaining. IU Southeast took a 55-54 lead before a three gave Georgetown a 57-55 advantage.
The teams traded baskets until a three by
Nathaniel Hoffman gave the Grenadiers a 63-61 lead with three minutes remaining. A pair of Georgetown free throws made it 63-63, but four straight points gave IU Southeast a 67-63 lead with 1:24 remaining.
Back-to-back layups by Georgetown tied the game at 67-67, but a jumper by
Camden Pfeister with five seconds remaining and a steal by
Nathaniel Hoffman with a second left clinched the upset victory for IU Southeast.
Nathaniel Hoffman led IU Southeast with 18 points and nine rebounds.
Keith Robinson had 12 points off the bench, and
Jaden Johnson added 10 points.
Camden Pfeister and
Jordan Treat both had eight points, and
Bailey Temming added four points and eight rebounds.
"Great team win," IU Southeast head coach
Wiley Brown said. "We outrebounded a very tough rebounding team. We made some tough baskets down the stretch. We were fresh, and I thought Georgetown was tired when the game was on the line. That's why we got some offensive rebounds. Proud of this team, but we have a long season ahead of us. I think this team is built for a tough, long season. Back to the lab!"
IU Southeast returns to action on Tuesday for their home opener against Simmons College.
