Box Score IU Columbus came up short in a competitive contest against Cleary University, falling 76-70 on Saturday afternoon. Despite a strong 20-point performance from sophomore guard Deante Luster, who shot 5-of-15 from the field and 9-of-12 from the free throw line in only 29 minutes of play, the Crimson Pride couldn't overcome Cleary's balanced offensive attack.
Damontae Thompson provided solid support with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while Owen Law added five points and pulled down three rebounds. However, IU Columbus struggled on the boards, getting outrebounded 43-36, with Cleary's frontcourt consistently creating second chances through 13 offensive rebounds. The Crimson Pride also had difficulty from beyond the arc, connecting on just 5 of 23 three-point attempts (21.7%).
After trailing 35-31 at halftime, IU Columbus fought to stay within striking distance throughout the second half. Ben Silva provided a spark off the bench with six points, but Cleary's superior ball movement (11 assists to IU Columbus' 7) and better three-point shooting (36.4%) proved to be the difference.
The loss marks IU Columbus's third straight defeat to open the season. The Crimson Pride will look to capture their first win in the coming week with four contests, all on the road.
Upcoming Schedule:
- Monday, November 4 at 11am at IU Indy
- Tuesday, November 5 at 4pm at Union College (Ky.)
- Friday, November 8 at 6pm at Bethel University (Tenn.) vs Blue Mountain Christian University
- Saturday, November 9 at Bethel University (Tenn.)
