COLUMBUS, Ind.—The Brescia Bearcats (3-7, 1-1) emerged victorious in a nail-biting matchup against the IU Columbus Crimson Pride (1-13, 0-2) on Saturday afternoon at the Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark, winning 87-82 in an intense conference clash.

The game featured back-and-forth action, with Brescia's balanced scoring and second-half composure proving too much for the determined Crimson Pride, despite their late surge.

The game began with IU Columbus struggling to find their rhythm offensively. Brescia's Gonzalo Luque, who finished with a game-high 26 points, capitalized on early defensive lapses, scoring inside and out. The Crimson Pride struggled with turnovers, committing 10 in the first half, while Brescia's defense forced IU Columbus into challenging shot opportunities.

By halftime, IU Columbus trailed 39-33, despite a balanced offensive effort led by Ben Sylva, who kept his team in contention with 10 first-half points.

The Crimson Pride roared back in the second half, led by Bobby Wonnell, who caught fire from beyond the arc, drilling four three-pointers to finish with a team-high 20 points. Floor general Damontae Thompson recorded a stellar triple-double, the first in school history, with 13 points and 10 rebounds, orchestrating the offense while dishing out 12 assists.

Ben Sylva provided critical scoring from the free-throw line, going a perfect 5-5, and adding 17 points. A strong defensive stand late in the second half brought IU Columbus within striking distance.

With just under two minutes remaining, IU Columbus trimmed the deficit to three points, thanks to a key three-pointer by Bobby Wonnell. However, Brescia's Damian Garcia was instrumental down the stretch, securing crucial rebounds and knocking down clutch free throws to seal the victory.

Key Performances

• Bobby Wonnell (#8): 20 points (4-6 from three), leading the scoring charge.
• Damontae Thompson (#10): A commanding triple-double (13 points, 10 rebounds ), paired with 12 assists in a gritty all-around performance.
• Owen Law (#21): 18 points and 3 rebounds, consistently providing an offensive spark.
• Ben Sylva (#23): 17 points, with precision from the charity stripe.

While the Crimson Pride fall to 1-13 on the season (0-2 conference), their resilience and second-half energy show promise for the remainder of the campaign. The Crimson Pride will next take on Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Wednesday, on the road. The team looks to secure its first conference win. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM