MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – Overcoming a double-digit deficit in the first half, No. 22 IU South Bend bounced back after halftime and took a 77-71 road win over Cardinal Stritch on Saturday afternoon.
Spencer Pettit led the way for the Titans (19-4, 14-2 CCAC), scoring a team-high 15 points with five rebounds in the win. Micah Poole and Kenny Washington each came off the bench to score 13 points apiece, with Poole going a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range.
A slow start for the visitors saw IUSB shoot just 29.4% (10-34) in the first half, as the Wolves (5-19, 3-15 CCAC) held an early 15-4 lead by the 12:43 mark of the first half. A three from Poole followed by two quick scores from Donyell Meredith closed the gap to 23-20 with 4:44 left before halftime, but Cardinal Stritch pushed their advantage back up to nine points with three straight scores in response.
Sergio Diaz’s layup in the closing seconds made it a 33-28 lead for the Wolves going into halftime, as Pettit led the Titans with seven first-half points.
Cardinal Stritch came out with a pair of three-pointers to open the second half, going up 39-28 less than a minute into play. Pettit’s jumper at the 16:12 mark started a run of six straight points for IUSB to make it a four-point game, and with 11:01 remaining in regulation, another Poole three-pointer tied the game at 47-47.
The Titans earned their first lead of the game with 9:47 left, when Sam Snodgrass nabbed a steal and completed a three-point play to put IUSB ahead 50-49. A three from Snodgrass followed by a bucket from Washington put the Titans ahead 55-51, and IU South Bend would remain in control the rest of the way.
The victory also marked the 124th career game played for senior guard Dylan Allen, who ties the program record for appearances in an IUSB uniform (T.J. Benner, Taylor Brooks; 2014-18).
IU South Bend returns to the Student Activities Center on Monday night, when they host Saint Xavier. Tipoff with the Cougars on February 7 is set for 7:00 p.m.