YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The IU Indianapolis men's basketball team got 15 points apiece from Matt Compas and Jaxon Edwards but ultimately fell short on the road at Youngstown State on Friday night (Jan. 30), 85-76. Edwards collected his second double-double of the season by grabbing 11 rebounds, but the Jaguars were outscored 51-37 in the second half after leading by five at the break. 

Cris Carroll and Bryson Dawkins led YSU (11-12, 4-8 HL) with 18 points each and Rontavious Blackshear added 14 points off the bench, including three threes. YSU shot 51 percent overall and 39 percent from three and outscored the Jaguars 25-9 at the foul line. 

"Tough one tonight," head coach Ben Howlett said. "I thought our press really bothered them in the first half and we were able to get out in transition and score some easy ones. 

"We weren't as disruptive in the second half and they were able to beat our press and get some good looks against us. We're continuing to get better and we're close to really breaking through. I'm proud of our guys. It'll be good to get home and play some home games."

IU Indy (6-18, 2-11 HL) was without top scorer Kyler D'Augustino for a second straight game as he was sidelined due to injury. 

YSU used an 18-0 run in the second half to flip a 53-45 deficit into a 63-53 advantage with 9:43 to play. The Jags battled all the way back to tie the score at 66 all with 6:13 to play, aided by a Blackshear flagrant foul the resulted in four made IU Indy free throws. After the score was tied again at 68 all, YSU reeled off a decisive 8-0 run, capped by Carroll and Blackshear threes, to finally extinguish the Jaguars. 

IU Indy led the majority of the first half, including building a 30-20 lead when Compas and Edwards both scored in close on consecutive possessions. The Jags maintained a 39-34 lead at halftime after forcing 10 first half YSU turnovers and converting them into 12 points. 

Senior Finley Woodward continued to pilot the offense, finishing with eight points and 10 assists while playing all but 42 seconds. Micah Davis, Reece Hagy and Kameron Tinsley all tallied nine points while Maguire Mitchell finished with eight. 

IU Indy will return home to host Cleveland State on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2:00 p.m. inside the Jungle.