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IUPUI PROVES TO BE TOO MUCH FOR HUNTINGTON COLLEGE, 91-81

George Hill turns in 26 points, six rebounds and five assists in second collegiate game

11/24/2004 11:11:52 PM

By: Ed Holdaway, IUPUI Sports Information
Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS - When IUPUI Head Coach Ron Hunter called freshman George Hill the 'best high schooler he's ever recruited', people knew he would be good. In the Jaguars' 91-81 home-opening win over NAIA Huntington College, Hill gave a glimpse of just how talented he is.

The 6-foot-2 rookie hit 10-of-11 shots en route to a game-high 26 points to go along with six rebounds, five assists and two steals. His 10-of-11 shooting effort tied the school record for best field goal percentage in a single-game. 

"I thought George was absolutely awesome tonight," Hunter said. "He really took over in the second half when the rest of the team was struggling.

"That says a lot when a freshman is able to carry the load like that."

Senior Akeem Clark and Hill helped IUPUI take control of the game early. Leading 9-8 early in the game, the Jaguars ripped off a 14-2 run that saw Clark drain a pair of treys and cap the spurt with a tip-in of a missed foul shot. 

Huntington's frontcourt duo of Alex Kock and Steve Snider kept the game close as Snider cut the lead to 38-29 with 4:37 remaining in the first half. The Jaguars responded with a 16-3 run to get the lead to 21 with 1:05 to play in the half. 

Junior Michal Vavrek put book ends on the surge, bringing a sparse home crowd to its feet on both occasions. The 6-foot-9 Joliet Junior College-transfer drilled a step-back three from the right wing to start the run. He capped the rally by pump faking a three from the same spot, then taking two dribbles before hammering home a two-handed dunk in traffic. 

HC's Adam Bontreger hit a three to cut the lead to 18 before the half, and Hill split a pair of free throws to make it 55-36 at the break. 

The lead grew to 23 on a pair of Johnny Miller layups, but the Foresters reeled off a 17-4 run, making it a 63-53 game. Kyle Ganton scored 13 of his 19 points in a 3:33 stretch to fuel the HC offense. 

The lead swelled back to 20 later in the half on a Troy Shanks three and IUPUI was able to hang on from there. 

For the game, both teams were deadly accurate offensively as the Jags hit 52 percent and HC connected on 55 percent. The Foresters enjoyed a distinct advantage from the free throw line, hitting 24-of-29 (.828) attempts. The Jaguars struggled at the stripe, hitting just 15-of-27 (.556) from the foul line. 

IUPUI's athletic trio of starting guards - Clark, Hill and Miller - carried the IUPUI offense as they combined for 66 of the team's 91 points. Clark scored 20 of his 24 in the first half while Miller knocked down 8-of-13 field goal attempts for his 16. Clark also collected a career-high five steals as the Jaguars had 14 thefts.

Snider, an Indianapolis-native playing in front of nearly 40 friends and family members, had 22 points and eight rebounds before fouling out for HC. Ganton added 19 while Chase Verba and Kock had 14 each. 

With the win, IUPUI moved to 1-1 on the season while Huntington dropped to 6-4. IUPUI improved to 5-2 all-time against Huntington. It also marked the fifth consecutive year that IUPUI has won their home opener. 

"It's hard not to be happy anytime you get a win," Hunter said. "But we know that we still have a long ways to go. Things are starting to come together, but we've got a tough task this weekend."

The Jaguars will wrap up a two-game homestand this weekend when they host Colorado State in The Jungle. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m..
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