INDIANAPOLIS - After a half of abnormalities, IUPUI took a scant 36-35 lead to the locker room in Monday's meeting with Florida Gulf Coast University. Junior George Hill was held to just two points on just two shots. Senior Austin Montgomery, the national free throw shooting leader, missed his first two of the season. Moreover, FGCU, which came in shooting just 40 percent from the floor, canned better than 57 percent through 20 minutes.
However, the second half saw IUPUI (8-2) roar out of the gates and rally to an 84-62 win over the first-year Division I program to run its winning streak to seven games. The Jaguars are currently enjoying the best start in its Division I history, improving to 8-2 as the non-conference slate winds down.
"We didn't play our best basketball tonight, but it's hard to complain after a 22-point win," IUPUI head coach Ron Hunter said. "It was a struggle though. They came out the aggressor and we kind of weathered the storm.
"But when you're 8-2, you're going to get everyone's best effort."
Montgomery scored a season-high 21 points while sophomore Billy Pettiford notched his first-ever double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman LeRoy Nobles chimed in with a career-best 13 points as Hill was held to 12. Hill did manage nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals in 35 minutes before fouling out.
Sophomore Jon Avery rounded out the balanced scoring with 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting off the bench.
IUPUI stretched its one-point halftime lead to 54-40 with 13:06 to play as Montgomery warmed up from the perimeter. Junior Gary Patterson capped the run with a three of his own, forcing FGCU (3-8) to call a 30-second timeout. Hunter rewarded his struggling sharpshooter with a hug and a pat on the head heading into the timeout.
"I thought that was a big shot for GP's confidence," Hunter said. "But even when he's not hitting shots, he's important to our team. He's a leader on the court and makes everyone around him better."
FGCU got within 11, but timely shot making and consistent foul shooting made sure there would be no upset on Monday. IUPUI, the nation's top free throw shooting team, hit all 13 of its second half attempts to close at 85.7 percent.
The Jags also shot 55.6 percent from the floor over the final 20 minutes, to finish at 51.9 percent. On the flip side, the IUPUI defense clamped down and limited the Eagles to just 7-of-24 (29.2 percent) in the second half.
Rob Quaintance and Ball State-transfer Landon Adler led FGCU with 16 apiece.
FGCU led for most of the first half, pushing its advantage to 30-22 with 5:43 left before halftime on an Adler dunk. However, momentum was lost when Adler was assessed a technical for hanging on the rim. IUPUI scored the next 10 points and led virtually the rest of the way.
IUPUI wraps up its current three-game homestand versus IU Southeast on Sunday afternoon. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. in The Jungle with tickets available as a 'buy one get one free' holiday special, in advance of game day. Contact the Athletics Office at 317-274-5453 for additional details.
Greg Rakestraw (pbp) will call the game on Freedom 95.9 FM while Scott McCauley (pbp) and Angelo Smith (color) will be on the SummitTV broadcast. Single games are available for $4.95 apiece while a full season can be purchased for $49.95, via the Summit League website.
