KOKOMO, Ind. -- Coming off their thrilling victory over Cincinnati Christian (Ohio) on Thursday, the Midway University men's basketball team returned to action on Saturday when they traveled to Kokomo, Indiana to take on Indiana University Kokomo.
The two teams put on an offensive clinic as they both shot 56 percent from the floor, but the Cougars (15-13, 11-5 RSC) proved too much as they downed the Eagles (7-18, 3-13 RSC) for the 115-100 victory.
The Eagles posted one of their best shooting performances of the season as they shot 56.7 percent (38-67) from the floor, including 39.1 percent from three where they went 9-of-23.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Cougars also torched the nets. IU Kokomo finished the game shooting 56.3 percent (40-71) overall, while knocking down 17-of-31 from long distance for 54.8 percent. The Cougars also held a 72-20 advantage in bench points.
Both teams got off to a hot start, but after the game was tied at 14 apiece, the Eagles went on a quick run. Kwon Evans (Louisville, Ky.) hit back-to-back buckets to ignite a 14-4 run as Midway held a 28-18 advantage.
Kokomo, Indiana native and freshman, Ty Sparling added five points in the run, while DJ Townsend (Somerset, Ky.) knocked down a long range bomb.
The Cougars answered when they hit four consecutive treys in a two minute span as they went on a 12-5 run of their own to take a 37-35 lead. Midway regained the lead, but Kokomo hit a three as the first half buzzer sounded to take a 48-46 lead into the locker room.
In the second half with Midway trailing 66-64, the Cougars went on a 23-9 run to tie their largest lead of the game at 89-73 with just under nine minutes remaining. The Eagles battled back and cut the deficit to 10, but couldn't keep pace as IU Kokomo came away with the 115-100 win.
Midway had six players finish in double figures led by Bryson Harris with 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Ty Sparling hit 4-of-9 from long distance and finished with 18 points, while Kwon Evans collected his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Going a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor was Jose Bustamante (Surprise, Ariz.) who finished with 13 points. Gerry Milligan (West Palm Beach, Fla.) added a season-high 12 points and DJ Townsend pitched in 10 off the bench.
Joe Krupinski's team will return to action on Tuesday, February 13, when they travel back to the 'Hoosier State' to take on Indiana University Southeast at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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