PIPPA PASSES, Ky. – In a battle of River States Conference heavyweights, the Indiana University Kokomo men's basketball team was the last one standing as they took down Alice Lloyd College, 77-74 due in large part to a late surge from fifth year senior, Desean Hampton. The win is the 11th consecutive win for the senior-led Cougars. 
 
Trailing by eight with just under five minutes to play, Hampton scored six of the Cougars' final 11 points in the game including a monster dunk tip with 33 seconds left to give IU Kokomo a one-point lead. On the next possession, Tayson Parker stepped over to draw an offensive foul on the Eagles, giving the Cougars the ball with 18 seconds to play. On the ensuing inbound, Hampton was fouled and stepped up to knock down two free throws to give IUK a three-point lead. The IU Kokomo defense held its ground on the Eagles' final possession, forcing them into an errant shot that never had a chance. 
 
Hampton, along with fellow fifth year senior Trequan Spivey played all 40 minutes for IU Kokomo head coach Eric Echelbarger. Spivey finished with 19 points and eight assists. Darian Porch returned today after missing the Cougars' last two games and scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds. 
 
IU Kokomo started fast against the Eagles, doubling them up at 14-7 just six minutes into the contest. Porch scored eight of the Cougars' first 14 points. However, after an Alice Lloyd timeout, the Eagles went on a 10-2 run, taking a 19-16 lead and forcing IUK to call its first timeout of the game. 
 
After trading baskets for three minutes, the Eagles took the lead when Ben Soumahoro knocked down a three with 6:21 to play in the opening half. Alice Lloyd would hang on to the lead for the duration of the half, taking a 36-32 lead into the locker room.
 
Over the first seven minutes of the second half, the Eagles built their lead to 11 points and looked as if they would take control of the game but an 11-2 run that was capped off by another Porch triple cut the Cougars deficit to just two points with 9:27 left to play. The Eagles responded and extended their lead back to eight points with just under five minutes to go. 
 
It was at that point, the IUK veteran squad showed the toughness and resilience they have all season. The Cougars held the Eagles scoreless for the final 4:55 of the game, lifting them to their 23rd win of the season. 
 
Xavier Hines contributed eight points, all of them coming in the final 11 minutes of action. Parker finished with seven points and six boards in the win. 
 
The win puts the Cougars a game and half ahead of the Eagles for the top spot in the West Division with four games to play. 
 
The Cougars will travel to Oakland City on Tuesday to take on the Mighty Oaks at the Johnson Center. Tipoff is set for 7:30 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.