New Albany, IN: The visiting Alice Lloyd College Eagles succumbing at the hands of the 20th ranked Indiana University Southeast Grenadiers, 101-85. The River States Conference Western Division opener was played on Tuesday, November 27th.
In the opening half, the hosts jumped out to a 22-9 lead at the 13:51 mark, only to watch the Eagles go on an 11-2 run over the next five minutes to set the score at 24-20.
IUS then responded with a quick 7-0 run to leap ahead 31-20. The visitors would shrink the deficit to five (36-31) before Southeast closed the stanza on a 12-6 spurt to take a 48-37 lead at intermission.
In the second half, sparked by guard Jimmy Johnson, Southeast kept the Eagles from gaining much ground as they drilled 7-of-12 over the twenty-minute segment. Their hot shooting preventing Alice Lloyd from reducing the deficit below double-figures the rest of the night.
IUS (6-3; 1-0 RSC) was led by Johnson with 21 points and 11 rebounds. His club connected on 45.6% (36-79) from the field and 48.3% (14-29) from long range. They attempted 18 free throws, sinking 15 (83.3%) and also had 43 rebounds, 11 assists, and 8 steals.
Alice Lloyd (2-5, 0-1 RSC) was led by sophomore guard Noah Young, with a game-high 27 points. Junior forward Chance Cornett and junior guard Blake Smith added 17 and 16 points respectively. Smith tied freshman center Will Philpot for team honors in rebounds with 10, while registering 2 blocks. Senior guard Ryan House chipped in with 9 points and added 3 steals while senior forward Simon Christon led the club with 4 assists.
Alice Lloyd shot 39.2% (29-74) from the field and 21.7 % (5-23) from long range. From the charity line, they drained 81.5% (22-27). Additionally, they registered 50 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals.
The Eagles return to action this Thursday, November 29th, when they host the University of the Virgin Islands Buccaneers (NAIA DI) at 7:00 pm. They then join the Lady Eagles on Saturday, December 1st, hosting a big conference match against the Brescia Bearcats. The women/men’s tipoffs are scheduled for 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.