COLUMBUS, Ind. – The IU Columbus men's basketball team faced a formidable IU Kokomo squad Tuesday night, falling 125-60 at Circle K Fieldhouse. Despite a strong effort from LaRenzo Hopkins, who led the Crimson Pride with 14 points, IU Columbus struggled to keep pace with the Cougars' efficient offense and overwhelming rebounding presence.
The game opened with IU Kokomo quickly setting the tone, using their size and ball movement to build an early lead. By halftime, the Crimson Pride trailed 52-23, as the Cougars shot a blistering 61.0% from the field and controlled the glass with a 54-22 rebounding advantage. IU Columbus found it difficult to generate second-chance opportunities and was held to just 31.8% shooting on the night.
In the second half, IU Columbus improved its offensive execution but was unable to slow down IU Kokomo's scoring attack. The Cougars outscored the Crimson Pride 73-37 after the break, capitalizing on turnovers and pushing the tempo in transition. Max Newman led IU Kokomo with 27 points and 13 rebounds, while Chris Chin (23 points) and Noah Harris (22 points) provided strong perimeter play.
For IU Columbus, Hopkins was the lone double-digit scorer among the starters, going 5-for-6 from the field. Bobby Wonnell contributed 11 points off the bench, hitting three three-pointers, while Xavier HighBaugh added seven points and three assists. Ben Sylva and Owen Law chipped in six points each, but the Crimson Pride struggled to find consistency against IU Kokomo's aggressive defense.
Rebounding proved to be a decisive factor in the game, with IU Kokomo pulling down 54 boards compared to IU Columbus' 22. The Cougars also capitalized on turnovers, scoring efficiently off IU Columbus' 20 giveaways.
Despite the loss, the Crimson Pride continue to focus on growth and preparation as the season nears its conclusion. The team will look to regroup and bounce back in their final game of the season, aiming to finish strong in front of their home crowd.
IU Columbus returns to action Saturday (Feb. 22), where they'll face the Grenadiers of IU Southeast. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM at Circle K Fieldhouse.
