IUSB Men’s Basketball outlasts rival Holy Cross
Got the Job Dunn
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — In a tight game that featured 10 lead changes, IU South Bend delivered in the clutch, using a decisive 11-0 run in the final four minutes to pull away from Holy Cross for a 90-78 victory on Saturday afternoon. AJ Dunn starred off the bench for IUSB, tallying 18 points without missing a shot attempt.
The Titans (6-4, 4-1 CCAC) opened the game with strong offensive execution, jumping out to a 10-2 lead behind early baskets from Kyle Olagbegi, CJ Hornbeak, and Collin Schmidt. But Holy Cross countered quickly—the Saints used a pair of threes and a series of drives to close the gap, eventually coming within one at 13-14 near the 14-minute mark.
From there, the first half became a back-and-forth battle. IU South Bend’s bench created separation as AJ Dunn scored off the bench immediately, followed by a Hornbeak three and an Ethan Hill transition finish to cap an IUSB burst. Holy Cross responded and trimmed the Titan lead to just 39-38 at halftime.
The second half opened with the teams trading buckets—Schmidt and Olagbegi repeatedly attacked the rim. With 12:52 to play, Holy Cross took a 53-51 lead on a three-point jumper, marking their largest edge of the afternoon.
Over the next eight minutes of action, the two teams continued to go back and forth with neither team gaining much separation. As the clock ticked past four minutes, Holy Cross took the lead at the free throw line, 72-71.
From that point on, IU South Bend delivered its defining run of the game—an 11–0 surge over a four-minute span that completely swung the momentum. The run began with a Olagbegi layup as the Titans strung together four consecutive scoring possessions. Schmidt delivered a triple from long range and an old-fashioned three-point play, as the Titans took control.
Holy Cross never recovered. Millender tacked on six-straight free throw makes to end the game, as the Titans picked up a conference win.
Dunn finished with his season-best 18 points to lead the way, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor and 5-for-5 at the line. Schmidt added 15 points, Hornbeak scored 16, and Olagbegi and Millender each reached double figures as the Titans posted 40 bench points and shot 58.9 percent from the field overall.
IUSB is set to face Cornerstone next Saturday at home with tipoff set for 3:00 pm.