Seventh-Straight Win Caps 2025
OAKLAND CITY, Ind. — IU South Bend closed out the 2025 calendar year in strong fashion Tuesday night, using an impressive second half to defeat Bethel (Tenn.) 70-65 at the Johnson Center. The win marks the Titans’ seventh consecutive victory, continuing their recent momentum.
The opening half was tightly contested, with neither team able to establish much separation. IU South Bend relied on interior scoring and strong rebounding from Ethan Hill, while Bethel countered with timely baskets to take a slim 28-27 lead into halftime.
The game turned decisively after the break behind the hot hand of CJ Hornbeak.
Hornbeak erupted in the second half, scoring all 19 of his points over the final 20 minutes. He knocked down four three-pointers, attacked the rim, and went 7-for-8 at the free-throw line, providing the offensive spark IU South Bend needed to pull ahead. His back-to-back threes midway through the half helped stretch the Titans’ lead to its largest of the night at 15.
Bethel gradually chipped away, cutting the deficit to one with three minutes and change on the clock. IUSB never relinquished its lead, though, utilizing clutch free throws from Hornbeak and Mark White to seal the game at the line.
IU South Bend outscored Bethel 43-37 in the second half, shooting 55.6 percent from three-point range after going 0-9 from beyond the arc in the first half.
A trio of Titans did well scoring the bucket and crashing the glass, including 16 points and seven rebounds from Kyle Olagbegi, 14 points and eight boards from Mark White and nine points and 12 rebounds from Ethan Hill. The rebonding effort from the IU South Bend squad led to a 49-37 advantage on the boards.
IU South Bend will look to carry the momentum in the new year, returning to conference play against Calumet College of St. Joseph on Saturday, January 3 at 4:00 pm in Whiting, IN.