COLUMBUS, Ind. –  The IU Columbus men's basketball team battled hard but ultimately fell to Alice Lloyd College (Ky.) in a challenging contest on Saturday afternoon at the Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark, with a final score of 110-72. Despite a spirited first-half performance, the Crimson Pride struggled to match Alice Lloyd's efficiency down the stretch.

IU Columbus came out with energy, keeping pace with Alice Lloyd for much of the first half. Led by sophomore Damontae Thompson, who contributed 19 points and four assists in the game, the Crimson Pride found ways to attack the basket and stay within striking distance. Nathan Pickett came off the bench to provide a spark, adding 13 points, including three three-pointers.

By halftime, IU Columbus trailed 46-40, a manageable deficit heading into the break.

The second half saw a shift in momentum as the Eagles capitalized on their efficiency and depth, shooting an impressive 59.7% from the field overall. The Crimson Pride found it difficult to maintain their rhythm, particularly from beyond the arc, converting just 20% of their three-point attempts (5-25) over the course of the game.

Defensively, the Crimson Pride worked hard to disrupt Alice Lloyd's flow, but the Eagles' standout performers, including Koji Anderson (19 points) and Jared Strickland (13 points), made crucial plays to extend the visitors' lead.

• Damontae Thompson: A versatile presence on offense, he led the team with 19 points and added four assists.

• Nathan Pickett: Delivered a strong performance off the bench with 13 points, showcasing his range with three three-pointers.

• Bobby Wonnell: Dominated the boards with 10 rebounds and was a steady presence on defense despite facing a tough Alice Lloyd front-line.

• LaRenzo Hopkins: Contributed 10 points and grabbed three rebounds in limited minutes, adding to the team's early momentum.

The Crimson Pride are now 1-17 on the season and 0-6 in conference play but remain determined to turn things around. They return to action next week as they hit the road for two tough RSC conference match-ups. Facing Shawnee State on Thursday at 6:00 PM and Rio Grande on Saturday at 1:00 PM.