MBB: Tech Winning Streak Snapped

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Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Indiana Tech men’s basketball team saw its five game winning streak snapped on Saturday in a 59-45 loss to WHAC rival Lourdes University in the Schaefer Center.

With two of the nation’s top defenses on display, there was a feeling heading into this conference showdown that points would come at a premium. Lourdes (18-7, 13-5 WHAC), who ranks first in NAIA DII in scoring defense per game (50.3) and field goal percent defense (0.367), limited the Warriors to 33 percent shooting on the afternoon and a season-low 45 points.

Tech’s defense, which ranks third and ninth nationally in the same categories, held the Gray Wolves in check for the first 20 minutes, but Lourdes’ advantage in size and depth proved to be the difference as the Gray Wolves outscored the Warriors 34-26 in the second half.

Lourdes held a 16-6 lead midway through the first half, but a triple from Jordan Hickman (Bardstown, KY/Vincennes) sparked a 10-0 Warrior run to tie the score. The Gray Wolves ended the period on a 9-3 run though to lead by a 25-19 margin at halftime.

A cold start by the Warriors to begin the second stanza allowed the Gray Wolves to extend their lead to 15, 34-19, with 16:42 remaining in the game. Tech cut the deficit to ten at the 6:48 mark, but couldn’t get any closer.

It was the second time this season that the Warriors had a lengthy winning streak ended by the Gray Wolves. Lourdes put a halt to a string of six consecutive victories earlier this season in a 57-51 win over Tech.

Jeff Hoskins (Kalamazoo, MI/Indiana Wesleyan) led a trio of Warriors who scored in double figures with 11 points. Antonio Landers (Monroe, LA/John Wood) and Antonio Cannon (Indianapolis, IN/Ancilla) chipped in 10 apiece. Melvin Brooks (Memphis, TN/Marion Military) finished with seven points and seven rebounds.

After falling out of second place, Indiana Tech (19-7, 12-6 WHAC) will look to keep pace with the teams at the top of the conference standings when they take the floor again on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at WHAC newcomer Marygrove College.