IU Indy Athletics

MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM DROPS SEASON OPENER AT UWGB, 68-53

Jags shoot just 33 percent from the floor as freshman George Hill scores 12

11/20/2004 10:04:16 PM

By: Ed Holdaway, IUPUI Sports Information

Box Score

GREEN BAY, Wisc. - IUPUI hit just 33 percent from the floor and allowed the hosts to reel off a 10-0 run early in the second half to take control of the contest. Senior James Booyer had nine points to accompany his career-high 12 rebounds for the Jaguars.

After both teams struggled to get things going offensively in the first half, freshman George Hill was the go-to guy early in the second stanza, scoring on three of IUPUI's first four possessions. Hill made it a 30-29 game with 16:56 remaining when he beat UWGB's Matt Rohde off the dribble and muscled a layup over the Phoenix' point guard, drawing a three-point play opportunity. After missing the ensuing free throw, the hosts poured in the game's next 10 points including a pair of treys from Rohde.

IUPUI could get no closer than nine points the rest of the way.

"Their defense caused us some problems tonight," IUPUI Head Coach Ron Hunter said. "We missed some open looks, but their defense forced us to miss some shots too.

"We got impatient and forced some things - they really got us off our game in the first half."

The Jaguars started the game well, despite falling behind 4-0 to open the contest. IUPUI turned in a 13-3 run fueled by Booyer's six points. The 6-foot-8 forward capped the run by slamming home a one-hander and drawing a foul on Tevah Morris in the process.

The Phoenix responded with a 17-2 spurt to take a 24-15 advantage with 3:26 to play in the half. IUPUI cut the lead to 26-23 at the break, thanks to threes from senior Akeem Clark and junior Maushae Byles.

Byles finished with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting in 13 minutes off the bench. Clark, who was a Preseason First Team All Mid-Continent Conference pick, had just five points on 2-of-11 shooting.

"You're not going to see Akeem be held to just one three and five points too often," Hunter said. "They did a really good job on him and he got a little frustrated when they played him physcial."

Ryan Evanochko led five UWGB players in double-digits with 12 points. Javier Mendiburu narrowly missed a triple-double by turning in 10 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. He left the game in the final minute to an apparent ankle injury.

Benito Flores also turned in a double-double for the hosts with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

UWGB shot 41 percent from the floor and was dominant on the glass, outrebounding IUPUI 51-35. Twenty-two of the hosts' rebounds came off the offensive glass.

Hill and junior Brandon Cole were the only Jags to manage double-digits with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Last season, IUPUI defeated UWGB 66-55 in both teams second game of the season. The loss marked the first time IUPUI dropped their season opener since a Nov. 20, 1999 defeat at Evansville.

"I told our guys that it's not about how good we are right now, but about how good we are in March," Hunter said. "Obviously, we have a long ways to go."

IUPUI will look for redemption when they host Huntington College on Wednesday night for their 2004-05 home opener. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 in The Jungle.

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