Box Score (.html) I Box Score (.pdf) I Photo Gallery I Highlights

INDIANAPOLIS - For the first time this season, the IUPUI basketball team has a three-game winning streak. The Jaguars (7-11, 4-3 Horizon) capped off a four-game homestand by defeating Detroit Mercy (6-14, 2-5 Horizon), 81-66. The win featured the biggest margin of victory against a Division I opponent this season and put the Jags above .500 in Horizon League play.
 
Right from the start, the Jaguars picked up right where they left off in their last game. The IUPUI defense was active and putting the pressure on the Titans, and they raced out to a 21-11 lead halfway through the first half. Shortly after, Detroit Mercy was able to cut the deficit to 24-20.

Then the floodgates opened.
 
The IUPUI attack caught fire from all over the floor. The Jags hit threes from all over, attacked the rim for easy layups, and even caught a few breaks on some offensive rebounds that led to easy buckets. The Jaguars closed the half on a 21-6 run - including a 10-0 flurry - and took a 45-26 lead into the locker room.
 
"We moved the ball really well and got into our offense early," junior T.J. Henderson said after the game. "I think we hit nine threes (in the first half) so anytime we're shooting the ball like that it's going to be hard to stop us."
 
Senior Aaron Brennan led the attack in the opening half with 11 points and Henderson added nine points off the bench that included seven consecutive points for the Jags early on. All nine players that saw action in the first half scored at least once. As a team, the Jaguars knocked in 9-of-15 attempts from behind the arc and 17-of-31 from the floor. Brennan hit the Jaguars' ninth and final trey of the first half of the stanza, banking in an attempt as the shot clock expired before flashing a smile towards his own bench.

Defensively, Detroit was held to just 9-of-23 shooting while also turning the ball over 12 times.
 
"I thought we did a great job today as far as making the extra pass. We did a really good job of attacking downhill and guys were looking for each other," Head Coach Jason Gardner said. "Even on the defensive end we were locked in. Guys were flying around and doing a good job pointing things out."
 
"We got out in transition, got open threes. We moved the ball really well in the first half and that put us in a position to win the game," senior Ron Patterson said.
 
The early portion of the second half continued to be much of the same. The Jaguars continued to execute on offense and quickly extended the lead to 56-33 following a Patterson and-one. However, that 23-point margin would end up being the largest lead of the game as Detroit chipped away at the lead. A 16-0 run by the Titans narrowed the margin to 67-62 with less than five minutes to play.

That's as close as it would get, though.
 
A scoring drought that spanned nearly five minutes was broken by a pair of free throws by Brennan to push the lead back to seven. A pair of free throws by Patterson extended the lead back to double figures and then fastbreak buckets by D.J. McCall and Evan Hall put the exclamation point on the win in the final minute. The Jaguars iced the game at the free throw line en route to the final score of 81-66.
 
"Coach just told us to stay with it and not be lackadaisical down the stretch and to keep attacking the press," Henderson said.

"Guys were a lot more focused getting open and moving the ball against the press. Once we beat the press we got some very good looks," Gardner added.
 
The Jaguars were led in scoring by Aaron Brennan with 15 points, marking his fifth consecutive game in double figures. He was joined in double figures by Patterson (14 points), McCall (13) and Henderson (11). The Jaguars connected on 52 percent from the floor and 11-of-23 (47.8 percent) from deep.
 
Jermaine Jackson Jr. paced the Titans with 22 points, including 4-of-7 from deep. The only other Titans in double figures were Kameron Chatman and Josh McFolley at 10 points apiece. For the game, Detroit managed just 40 percent from the field and the Jaguars won the rebounding battle 39-29.
 
"Our chemistry is getting a lot better. What we're talking about in practice and in video sessions is getting a lot better. We just have to keep it up," Gardner said. "Anytime you're winning, everybody is more excited and happy. The next days are a lot more fun, and the guys are starting to see it. When we move the ball and talk on both ends, it's a different kind of excitement."
 
The Jaguars will be back in action on Thursday, January 18 as they hit the road to face Cleveland State. The game will be the first of a season-long five-game road trip and will be aired on ESPN3.