SOUTH BEND, Ind.-Â The Indiana University South Bend Titans (2-3, 0-0 CCAC) dropped their Wednesday night non-conference match to the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars by a final score of 88-81.
Tied at 14-14 with just under 13 minutes to play in the first half, a Kyle Millender layup gave the Titans a two point lead before the Cougars answered with a three pointer to take a one point lead, a lead that they would hold on to for the rest of the half and the game.
The Titans brought the game within three points with just over eight minutes to play but that is as close as they would get as Saint Francis took a 53-36 lead into halftime thanks to a 15-5 run in the final two and a half minutes of the period to close out the half.
Trailing by as much as 18 more than halfway through the second half, IU South Bend begin to chip away at their deficit. A Jylen Petty three pointer and a Nick Mullen field goal brought the Titans within two possessions, trailing by just six points with less than a minute remaining. However, the Cougars were able to evade the IUSB press and run the clock out, defeating the Titans by a final score of 88-81.
The IU South Bend Titans offense featured two players to score in double figures, led by senior forward Jylen Petty who finished with a season high 22 points.
Petty’s 22 points came on just under 50% shooting from the field while shooting an impressive 66% (6-9) from beyond the three point line while also leading the Titans in minutes played with 32.
The other Titan to score in double figures was Nick Mullen who finished with 12 points.
Mullen’s 12 points came on near perfect shooting from the field (6-7) while also collecting five rebounds and four blocked shots. Mullen’s 12 points gives him double digit scoring performances in four of the five games on the season.
The Indiana University South Bend Titans return to action on Saturday, November 16th, when they travel to Portsmouth, Ohio, to take on the Bears of Shawnee State University at 1:00 PM ET.