SOUTH BEND, Ind.-Â The Indiana University South Bend Titans (0-1, 0-0 CCAC) dropped their season opening contest to the Grace Christian University Tigers (1-0, 0-0 Conf.) by a final score of 66-59.
IU South Bend came out of the gates sluggish, falling to an early 14-6 deficit before Head Coach Scott Cooper used his first timeout to stop the Tigers run. Still Grace Christian continued to pour it on the first half, leading by as much as 25 points before the Titans cut into their deficit, now trailing by 17 going into halftime.
The Tigers first half surge was thanks in large to 50% shooting from beyond the arc, sinking 10 three point field goals in the first 20 minutes of action.
Half number two saw IUSB gain momentum back, cutting the Tigers lead to just six points at 48-42 with under 10 minutes to play in the game.
Five straight points by junior forward Nick Mullen allowed IU South Bend to trail by just four points with a little over two minutes remaining in the contest.
However, the Titans could not pull within one possession and ultimately lost Friday’s season opener to Grace Christian College by a final score of 66-59.
A new look IU South Bend offense featured two different Titans to score in double figures, led by Nick Mullen who posted his first double-double of the new campaign, finishing with 13 points on 60% shooting from the field and also collecting a career high 16 rebounds.
The other IUSB Titan to score double digits was Quentez Columbus who posted 12 points while playing in a team high 29 minutes. Columbus is coming off of a junior season that saw him score in double figures 16 different times.
The Indiana University South Bend Titans return to