KOKOMO, Ind. - The IU Kokomo men's basketball team took down IU Northwest Tuesday night 68-59 in the Cougars first home game of the season, The win improves the Cougars to 3-0 on the season.

Hunter White led IU Kokomo offensively with 18 points and four assists. Freshman Ty Wills impressed in his first home game, scoring 17 points. Wills drove to the basket with authority on multiple occasions, and was 5-6 from the field and 7-11 from the free-throw line.

Guard Hunter Jackson had nine points and eight rebounds on the night. Zach Rinehart at six points and ten rebounds. Darian Porch had six points and nine boards.

The first half of Thursday night's contest with the RedHawks of IU Northwest was low-scoring, as both sides defense prevailed early. Hunter White scored in the paint to give IU Kokomo a 2-0 lead with 16:43 remaining in the half.

IU Kokomo led 10-8 before a Ty Wills old-fashioned three-point play extended the IUK lead to five at 13-8. IU Northwest responded by taking a 14-13 lead, but that would be their last lead of the game. 

Over the course of the final 7:39 of the first half, the Cougars outscored the RedHawks 20-9 to take a double-digit, 33-23, lead into halftime.

Xavier Hines drilled a triple to extend the IU Kokomo lead to 15 points less than four minutes into the game. IU Northwest refused to go away, and eventually trimmed the IUK lead to five at 50-45.

IU Northwest drained a three with 21 seconds remaining to get within a possession of IU Kokomo at 62-59, but IU Kokomo knocked down six-straight free throws to ice it and win 68-59.

IU Kokomo had 34 points in the paint and 15 second-chance points. The tenacious Cougars defense forced 14 turnovers and had 15 points off turnovers.

The Cougars will enjoy some time off, as they will return to the hardwood next Friday at the Rio Grande Classic. IU Kokomo will play Washington Adventist Friday at 3:00 P.M. and Carolina University Saturday at 1:00 P.M.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.