HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The IU Indianapolis men's basketball team will ring in the new year with a Horizon League road test at Northern Kentucky (10-5, 2-2 HL) on New Years Day at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN+. The Jags come in seeking to snap a modest two-game skid and in search of a first Horizon League victory this season. 

The Jaguars are coming off a 99-86 road loss at Cleveland State on Monday, despite a 27-point effort from junior Kyler D'Augustino. Senior Finley Woodward chipped in with a season-high 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting to accompany seven assists. Fifth-year senior Matt Compas came off the bench with 17 points and seven assists and Jaxon Edwards had 13 points and seven boards. The Jaguars shot 46 percent overall, but were just 7-of-36 (19.4 percent) from three-point range. Cleveland State shot 54 percent for the game and outscored the Jaguars 30-15 at the foul line. 

The Jaguars are averaging more than 88 points per game for the season and rank among the nation's best in assists (21.3 apg), steals (10.5 spg) and turnover margin (+5.2/game). Because of the team's frenetic pace, the Jags rank tops in the country in field goal attempts (72.7 per game) and sixth nationally in three-point attempts (34.3 per game). 

ACCOLADES
Junior Kyler D'Augustino is the reigning Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Week, as awarded by the league office on Monday, Dec. 29. D'Augustino earned the weekly award after his 24-point, five rebound effort in a 91-78 road loss at Grand Canyon on Dec. 22. 

QUOTABLE
"Winning basketball games is hard and winning on the road is incredibly hard. We had some guys step up and play really well tonight and some others who didn't. There were times when we didn't make plays when we had to have them. We had some chances to really get some momentum and we missed shots or missed assignments and it wasn't good enough," Howlett said following the loss at Cleveland State. 

SCOUTING NORTHERN KENTUCKY
Northern Kentucky is 10-5 overall and 2-2 in Horizon League play to start the season. The Norse are 7-2 at home this season and are coming off a 79-77 road win at Robert Morris on Monday. NKU comes in scoring 83.9 points per game and shooting 47.7 percent from the floor this season. Here is a look at NKU's probable starters. 
    G- Dan Gherezgher (6-4, Sr.) - 16.5 ppg, 41 3's
    G- Ethan Elliott (6-3, Fr.) - 4.8 ppg, 4.3 apg
    G- Tae Dozier (6-5, Grad.) - 7.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg
    F- LJ Wells (6-8, Sr.) - 12.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg
    F- Kael Robinson (6-7, Grad.) - 16.3 ppg, 39 3's

INSIDE THE SERIES
IU Indy is 4-16 all-time against NKU and 2-9 in 11 meetings in Highland Heights. NKU has won the last seven meetings between the two programs. 

UP NEXT
The Jaguars will return home to host Wright State on Sunday, Jan. 4 at 2:00 p.m. inside the Jungle. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and can be heard on 1430 Indy's Sports Ticket.