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Ron Hunter

JAGS SNAP SKID, KICK OAKLAND, 82-69

Hunter accomplishes two goals - raises over 100,000 pairs of shoes and snaps IUPUI's two-game losing streak

1/24/2008 8:55:20 PM

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INDIANAPOLIS - On a night when a basketball game became an avenue for a charitable contribution that will benefit kids on the other side of the world, the IUPUI basketball program turned the evening into an unqualified success. Head coach Ron Hunter, who roamed the sidelines in his bare feet as part of his commitment to Samaritan's Feet, helped the organization raise over 100,000 pairs of shoes. 

His original goal was 40,000.

On the court, the Jaguars (14-5, 6-2 Summit) turned in their second-best shooting night in the program's Division I history to roll to an 82-69 victory over the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies (9-10, 4-4). The Jaguars hit 33-of-51 (64.7 percent) from the floor, falling just shy of the program's D1 record of 64.8, set against Oakland in 2003. 

Senior Austin Montgomery led five Jags in double-digits with 20 points while George Hill and Jon Avery added 17 each. Avery was a perfect 8-of-8 from the floor to accompany four assists and three rebounds in just 17 minutes off the bench.

However, the story of the night was Hunter's bare size 13's parading up and down in front of the bench, bringing national exposure to Samaritan's Feet and IUPUI.

Soles4Souls donated 40,000 pairs of shoes to the cause while IUPUI announced at halftime that the Department of Homeland Security would donate 10,000. Wal-Mart tossed in 25,000 around midday today while Hunter learned on ESPN's Mike & Mike in the Morning that Converse had committed to donating 15,000 pairs. Nine West donated 5,200 shoes on Wednesday.

In addition, according to Samaritan's Feet spokesman Todd Melloh, $20,000 had been raised for the cause.

"Every morning, we wake up and take for granted that we can put shoes on. That's not the case in many parts of the world," Hunter said. "I have two kids, and I could not imagine them not being able to have shoes.

"My guys were behind this 100 percent. They told me, 'Coach, you've got to do what you've got to do. We'll take care of the game.'"

The outcome was still in question with 6:57 left when OU's Erik Kangas drilled his sixth three of the night, cutting IUPUI's lead to 59-53. IUPUI countered with a quick 6-0 run on back-to-back threes to essentially put the game away. 

Playing in front of a hand full of NBA scouts, Hill showed a number of facets to his versatile game during the run. First, he set up Montgomery, who swished a 23-footer from the right wing to make it 62-53 with 6:19 left. At the other end, The Summit League Preseason Player of the Year blocked Brandon Cassise's three-point attempt from the top of the key, allowing Billy Pettiford to corral the rebound. 

In transition, Hill came to a jump stop at the top of the key, allowing the defense to fly by before he swished a three of his own. Oakland got no closer than eight the rest of the way. 

Hill added a game-high seven assists and four rebounds while Pettiford posted his second double-double of the year with 13 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Gary Patterson also reached double-figures with 14 points and 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range. Eleven of Patterson's 14 came in the first half. 

IUPUI handed out a season-high 24 assists on 33 buckets.

Kangas led Oakland with 20 off the bench and Derick Nelson finished with 12. 

The win snapped IUPUI's brief two-game losing skid, while the loss was OU's third straight. The Jaguars look to improve to 10-0 in The Jungle on Saturday night when they host IPFW in a conference showdown. 

The men's game will tipoff at approximately 7:00 p.m.. The women's team will begin the day's action at 4:30 and Jinx Bobblehead dolls will be distributed, beginning at 3:30 on Jam the Jungle Day.
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