Ashley Dickerson
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Sycamores hit multiple milestones with a 74-60 come-from-behind victory over the Panthers of Northern Iowa. Sophomore Brenton Scott led the team with a career-high 30 points. The conference victory was nothing short of exciting, as the Sycamores played a tough Northern Iowa team who owned victories over No. 1 North Carolina and No. 5 Iowa State during non-conference play earlier in the season.
Indiana State got off to slow start in their campaign toward the basket, but picked it up with help from Scott. Continuing his hot shooting streak, Scott tied the score at the fifteen-minute mark to give the Sycamores some momentum, but the Panthers continued to answer on offense. The Panthers shot just over 56% from the floor in the first half, while sinking nine of 10 free throws.
The Sycamores were 12 of 37 from the floor in first half baskets as Scott recorded 15 points. Foul trouble set the Sycamores back on defense as they sent the Panthers to the free throw line 10 times during the first half and tallied 12 total first half fouls. The Sycamores out-rebounded the Panthers in the first 20 minutes, pulling down 19. Just before the half, junior Matt Van Scyoc took advantage of a 3-point opportunity to cut the Panthers' lead to seven.
After the half, the Sycamore offense caught fire behind quick 3-point efforts from both Scott and Van Scyoc to put the Sycamores within one. Senior Devonte Brown added to the 3-point campaign, and Scott gave the Sycamores a lead with a 4-point play at the 15 minute mark.
The Sycamores continued to hit milestones in the second half, making this the third time this season the team has scored 10 or more 3-point baskets, sinking 12 of 28. Brenton Scott continued to showcase his sharp shooting, hitting six 3-pointers. The last player to hit six from behind the arc was Devonte Brown on January 24, 2015 against Loyola. Scott hit another milestone, scoring a career-high 30 points while shooting flawlessly from behind the free throw line and pulling down nine rebounds. The last time a Sycamore scored 30 was February 14, 2012 when Jake Odum posted 34 against the Illinois State Redbirds.
The team finished the game with three players in double-digit scoring, with Scott putting up 30, Brown with 17, and Van Scyoc with 11. This victory puts the Sycamores at 4-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play and 10-7 overall.
The Sycamores continue Missouri Valley Conference action Sunday January 17th as they travel to Wichita State to face the Shockers at 4:00 p.m. EST.
