CSU Defeats IUPUI 70-67 With Defensive Stop At The Buzzer!

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – The Vikings ended a four-game skid as they defeated the IUPUI Jaguars who were coming in winners of three straight.  They did it in thrilling fashion by a score of 70-67, surviving a last second nearly missed three ball to hang on for the win.

For the 8^th time this season, it came down to the final shot of the game.  The Vikings had been struggling at one possession games, just 2-5 at them coming into tonight.  This time, they had just enough to hang on.

Once again it was Evan Clayborne clogging up the middle on defense, and slamming it home on offense.  Clayborne is a true difference maker now that he is healthy and gives the Vikings a legitimate threat in the middle.  Clayborne finished with a career high 10 points for the young man in 27 impressive minutes that also saw him snag 7 boards.

Kenny Carpenter led the way for the Vikings with 23 monster points on 8 of 12 shooting.  Stefan Kenic bounced back from his recent shooting slump as well, totaling 14 points in one of his best efforts of the season in his return to the starting lineup.  The Vikings will need Kenic to stay hot if they want to be a force in the Horizon League the rest of the way.  Kenic started tonight in place of the injured Anthony Wright.

Perhaps the unsung hero of the night was sensational freshman Tyree Appleby who kept the Vikings composed late when they saw their lead slip away.  Tyree had a monster dunk and several beautiful passes that led to 6 crucial assists.

IUPUI battled back from a 17-point deficit to take the lead 47-46 from the Vikings with a little over 9 minutes to go in the game.  It was then the Vikings showed the heart they are known and loved for, going on a great run to answer.  Some teams would have folded after giving up such a lead, not the Vikings.  Coach Felton has instilled heart and toughness into this bunch.  The run saw several big thee pointers by Carpenter to help CSU once again build a double-digit lead, this time up 61-49 with 7:50 to go.

IUPUI went to take work again, on the strength of Aaron Brennans team high 17 points to cut into the Viking lead.  Down 3 with 38 seconds to go, T.J. Henderson hit a three pointer while being fouled to tie the game.  He hit the ensuing foul shot, giving the Jaguars the 67-66 lead.

Yet again, most teams would have folded after such a heartbreaking moment, not this team however.  Appleby would answer, with a hard drive to the lane, the ball rolled in and out, but Jamarcus Hairston was there for the important put back.  It gave the Vikings a 68-67 lead.  A defensive stop and two Carpenter foul shots later, it was over as the Vikings secured their second win of the Horizon League schedule.

The Vikings started the game fast paced and shooting lights out, hitting on their first 10 shots to build an impressive 25-8 lead halfway through the first half.  Stefan Kenic was red hot, draining everything and helping the Vikings have their best start of the year.

A few bad passes and lulls on offense allowed the Jaguars to climb back in it however, closing the lead to 32-26 by halftime.  The Vikings closed the first half ice cold, missing ten in a row before a Cash Thomas layup closed it out.  Neither team had success from behind the arc however, as they combined to go 2 for 17 in the half.

Up next the Vikings will host UIC on Saturday Jan 20 at 3:30. If you get their early enough, make sure to check out the Women’s game starting at 1 as they host Youngstown State.

 

Box Score

IUP 26 41 = 67

CSU 32 38 = 70

 

Fun facts

Tonight’s game was broadcast on AM 1420 and AM 1440, as well as ESPN3 with Al Pawlowski and Pat Vuyancih providing the call.

The game was just the third all-time meeting between the two teams.

The Vikings have played in eight one possession games this year, posting a 3-5 mark in those games.

Senior Bobby Word has started all 51 games of his CSU career

Word is averaging 15.2 points in League play, while shooting .475 (19-40) from three-point.

Tyree Appleby is averaging 11.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals in his first season of college basketball.

The Vikings have tied the single game school record with 14 made three-pointers three times this year.

CSU has hit a three-pointer in a school record 617 straight games.

The Vikings have hit at least three threes’ in 166 straight contests, extending the streak with eight threes at Northern Kentucky on Monday.

Felton, a coaching veteran with more than 30 years of experience, is in his 12th season as a head coach, having spent five years at Western Kentucky (1998-03) and five-plus seasons at Georgia (2003-09).