CEDAR CITY, Utah - For the second time in three weeks, IUPUI junior Austin Montgomery was in the right place at the right time to give the Jags a win with a last second putback. On Thursday night, the 6-foot-5 BGSU-transfer dropped in a layup with 1.8 seconds left in overtime to give IUPUI a 75-74 victory at Southern Utah (15-11, 5-6 Mid-Con), capping a career-high 30-point night.
The win extended IUPUI's current winning streak to a season-long three games, albeit after squandering a 17-point lead in regulation.
"We got the big lead and knew we were going to have to fight it out down the stretch," IUPUI head coach Ron Hunter said. "But we've started to hang our hat on defense and rebounding and Austin was absolutely awesome tonight.
"I know he felt bad after missing that free throw, but he really redeemed himself tonight."
IUPUI led 52-35 with 11:45 left after an Angelo Smith layin. Southern Utah slowly crept back in contention, thanks largely to the three-point line. After a scoreless first half, SUU's Steve Barnes caught fire in the second half and eventually sent the game to overtime by swishing a three with 1.7 seconds left.
IUPUI (13-12, 6-5 Mid-Con) sophomore Gary Patterson almost ended the game in regulation, but his half court heave rimmed out as time expired.
In overtime, the Jags built an early three-point lead at the foul line, but Southern Utah eventually grabbed a 74-73 edge with 1:52 to play when Justin Allen drilled a pair of free throws. Both teams missed treys, giving Southern Utah possession with 50 seconds left.
Defensively, IUPUI forced David Marek into a contested layup as junior Drew Conner eventually came away with his career-best sixth rebound of the night. On the ensuing possession, senior David Barlow drew contact and put the ball on the glass before Montgomery grabbed the carom and helped steal the win. Montgomery closed having hit 11-of-17 from the floor and grabbed seven rebounds in 43 minutes work. He missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity with 1:08 remaining in regulation with the Jags clinging to a 67-64 lead.
Patterson continued his torrid play of late, adding 17 points while Smith added 11 points before fouling out. Barlow chipped in 10 points and four assists, while freshman Billy Pettiford grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds.
As a team, IUPUI outrebounded Southern Utah 39-25 overall, including 12-8 off the offensive glass.
"We talked about a lot of things after the game," Hunter said. "Drew's rebounds in there down the stretch were huge. He helped us get stops when we needed them."
Barnes led five SUU players in double-digits with 16 points, while Allen added 13.
IUPUI used a 10-0 run midway through the first half to build a 26-15 lead. The lead grew to 13 by halftime and the Jags led by double-digits for over 13 minutes in the second half.
With the win, IUPUI leap frogged SUU in the standings and climbed over .500 both overall and in Mid-Con play. The Jags sit fourth in the league with three Mid-Con contests yet to play.
"Our confidence is really high right now," Hunter said. "If we can go into Kansas City and get this one on Saturday, then look out.
"But this win right here bodes well for the rest of our year."
The Jags return to action on Saturday when they head to Kemper Arena to take on UMKC in Kansas City, Game time is slated for 8:00 p.m. with pregame coverage on Gold 95.9 FM beginning at 7:30 in Indianapolis. Greg Rakestraw will call that contest.
