TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Just as it did in its first exhibition game of the season, the Indiana State men's basketball team saw four players reach double figures in a 82-67 win over the visiting University of Indianapolis Greyhounds in front of 3,261 fans at the Hulman Center Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore guard Dwayne Lathan led all scoring with 16 points, while senior guard Harry Marshall tallied 14 points in his first game action of the season. Also reaching double figures were junior guard Aaron Carter with 13 points -- including a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the 3-point arc -- and junior guard Jake Kelly with 11.
The Sycamores stood tall again on the defensive end of the court, recording 12 blocks, paced by six from senior center Josh Crawford. Junior Isiah Martin and Kelly both recorded a pair of blocks with freshmen Koang Doluony and RJ Mahurin each tallying one. Indiana State's defense forced Indianapolis to shot just 32.3 percent from the field on 20-62 shooting.
In the first half, Marshall led the way with 10 points, aided by his four made shots at the charity stripe. The senior also put up four points in the final minute of the half to give the Sycamores a 10-point lead over Indianapolis, 38-28, going into the locker room. In addition, Kelly chipped in nine points, including a 3-pointer in the opening minutes and four free throws.
After halftime, Lathan ignited fans with his second dunk of the game at 18:59. ISU then took over in the second stanza, taking its lead as far as 21 points over Indy off a pair of treys from Carter and another by Marshall.
In the final minute of the game, Mahurin put up a block, while freshman guard Lucas Eitel contributed a layup coming off the bench to give Indiana State an 82-67 win.
The Sycamores continued their hot-shooting to start the season, finishing the game at 54.3 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from behind the 3-point arc. The Sycamores also shot 88.9 percent at the free throw line, going 24-for-27.
Larry Woods paced the Greyhounds with 14 points. Woods was joined in double figures by DeWann Squires and Ryan Sims at 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Indiana State next plays host to Nebraska-Kearney on Friday, Nov. 13. Tipoff is set for 7:05 (ET) at Hulman Center.
Indianapolis at Indiana State
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009
Postgame Press Conference
Head Coach Kevin McKenna
Opening Statement
"I thought overall our intensity was fairly good. I thought we got out-fought inside a few times for offensive rebounds. We tried to make some plays that really weren't there on a few occasions and got into some trouble with some turnovers. But overall, the intensity was decent. We made our free throws and made some plays for each other, but we just have to do a better job of understand what we're trying to do and where we're trying to go with the ball and not force the issue. If we do that and play a little more physically inside, I think we can be a good team. But giving up 18 offensive rebounds and having 20 turnovers shows we still have work to do."
On junior Jake Kelly
"Jake's going to be a guy who gets to the free throw line because he's quick ball handler and get in there and make plays. I think a couple of times, Jake got himself into trouble on some turnovers by leaving his feet to pass and got a couple of charges on him. Jake is a good ball handler and quick with the ball and can get in there. I think you'll see him get to the free throw line."
On Indiana State's depth
"I think we have good depth on our team. I think with our wing players and our bigs, we have a lot of depth at every position. A lot of guys have experience and deserve to have an opportunity. I'll try to get everybody as much run as I could and keep those guys out there. My goal is to keep our guys fresh so we can play a full-court game, so we can push the ball and attack more and try to be a team that wears other teams down a little bit."
Junior Jake Kelly
On fitting in with Indiana State's system
"I think we're fitting in well. I like playing with Dwayne (Lathan); I think we complement each other pretty well. We're both pretty athletic guards and can play multiple positions. I don't know any of the plays right now, but I'm just trying to get us in the offense and do the best I can. When things break down, it's nice to have a guy like Dwayne who I can kick out to."
On his playing role at Iowa
"Early on in my career at Iowa, I was basically a defender and a spot shooter. I developed and gained confidence from my coach there. He gave me more freedom, but this year I think I've gotten that freedom from the get-go from Coach McKenna. I'm just trying to build faith with my team and do what I can. I want to come through slowly; I don't want to force things early or anything like that. By the time the Missouri Valley season starts, I really think we're going to have a good team at the top of the league."
Sophomore Dwayne Lathan
On his performance in today's game
"I think I played all right. I'm just trying to do whatever I can to help my team, whether it's defense, knocking down a shot, driving, kicking the ball to an open player. Dunks just happen to come with it.
On the ISU system
"I think with sitting out last year, I've been here a year, so that's one thing I can say - I know the plays. I know some things that Jake doesn't know, but he still does his job. It just makes it easier on everybody to have a point guard like him. There aren't many guards in our league who can do what he does. Like he said, we just complement each other."
Indianapolis Head Coach Stan Gourard
Opening Statement
"I liked our chances coming into the game, but I knew what these guys were capable of as far as their work ethic. Coach (Kevin) McKenna has done a great job of putting together a great nucleus of guys who are going to do the right things and are going to work hard. Indiana State got off to a really good start because we were slow. They were clicking on all cylinders tonight. They did a great job on defense and shot the heck out of the ball - 54 percent tonight. I thought one of the biggest differences tonight was that we didn't stick to our game plan, especially early in the first half. I was talking to Harry Marshall a little bit after the game about getting everything taken care of, because he makes these guys go. He has a great deal of talent, and he can get these guys to the next level. I think Jake Kelly brings a lot to the table also because he's a guy who can do a lot of things. It was a hard-fought ballgame, but I liked our effort. Indiana State played a great game. They competed the first and second half, and I thought those guys really did a good job of attacking the boards."
On returning to Terre Haute
"It's always good to go back. I have so many great memories when I was here as an assistant coach for three years. I made a lot of relationships and still have a lot of friends here. It was good to come back. It was good to see some familiar faces, see some people I haven't seen or talked with in a long while. It was fun to be back, but I understood coming in that it was a business trip. That's always a tough thing when you're going back to a place you once coached. That's some of the same things I endured when I went back to Southern Indiana as a coach last year. You have to get in there a little bit early, say your hellos and say hi to everybody, and then try to get your guys ready. We came in early and got a chance to talk to a few people and then got my guys ready."
Courtesy: ISU Athletics
