OXFORD, Ohio - The IUPUI basketball team scaled the mountain - got all the way to the peak - and them stumbled after reaching the apex on Saturday (Dec. 10). Head Coach Jason Gardner's team trailed by 21 in the second half at Miami before pulling even in the final minute. However, the host RedHawks got the last laugh, scoring on a Rod Mills runner with 18.9 seconds left to secure a 71-68 victory. 

Sophomore D.J. McCall matched his career-high with 14 points off the bench and senior Darell Combs added 13 in the loss. Senior Matt O'Leary rounded out the Jaguars' double-digit scorers with 11 points and eight rebounds.

O'Leary was well short of a potential game-tying three as time expired.

"Our defense was pretty good in the second half. We got quite a few stops and were able to get back in the game," IUPUI Head Coach Jason Gardner said. "It just took us far too long to get going early and we got in a huge hole. You flat out can't do that on the road and expect to win.

"We were having to climb uphill all day today and it came back to bite us." 

IUPUI (3-7) was in a revine early as Miami (5-5) scored the game's first 13 points, forcing Gardner to blow an early timeout. O'Leary finally got the Jags on the scoreboard by swishing a triple at the 15:45 mark. The hole more resembled a grave as Miami extended the lead to 28-7 when Marcus Weathers swished a three at the 11:04 mark. However, the Jags clawed back in contention, getting within two touchdowns by halftime at 42-28. 

IUPUI held Miami scoreless for more than seven minutes and ultimately ripped off a 19-1 run to get within one possession. McCall energized the run with a two-handed dunk over a defender and Kellon Thomas stroked a key three during the rally. The Jags finally pulled even when Thomas drained a corner three with 28 seconds left, off a good look from Combs. 

With the game tied, Mills worked his way into the paint before rolling a runner over the top of his defender for the go-ahead bucket. Opting against calling a timeout. Combs handled the ball and eased to his right before launching a potential go-ahead trey directly in front of his bench. However, the shot hit off the iron and was rebounded by MU's Logan McLane with 3.3 seconds left. McLane was immediately fouled and split the ensuing free throws, giving the Jaguars one final opportunity. However, O'Leary, was had already hit three threes on the day, was well short of sending the game to overtime. 

IUPUI finished the day shooting just 41 percent overall and 30.3 percent (10-of-33) from three-point range. Miami closed at 46 percent overall and 40 percent from three-point range. 

"We need to figure out the slow starts," Gardner said. "I don't know what to attribute it to, but we need to adjust and get it behind us. 

"I think it'll help to have a home game coming up. Just being able to play on our home floor will hopefully help us in that regard."

McLane led four RedHawks in double-digits with 15 points and Michael Weathers finished with 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Marcus Weathers tallied 13 and Mills closed with 11. 

Ron Patterson tallied eight for the Jaguars and Thomas finished with six on a pair of second half threes. Combs missed much of the second half after drawing a controversial offensive foul with 11:44 to play. Both teams assumed the call had gone against a Miami defender and had begun to lineup for the ensuing free throws before the official reiterated the player control foul. 

The Jaguars will return home for a busy Monday (Dec. 12), beginning with a Holiday Hoops Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. inside The Jungle. Later that night, the Jaguars will host Urbana at 7:00 p.m. inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum. IUPUI students are admitted for FREE with a valid JagTag and will receive a FREE Jaguars spirit shirt, while supplies last. Monday's game will be broadcast on ESPN3 as Greg Rakestraw (pxp) and Hall of Famer Bob Lovell (analyst) are on the call. In addition, Monday's game will be heard on 97.5 Fox Sports FM, 1260 WNDE and the iHeartRadio app as Morgan Adcock (pxp) is on the call.