Box Score KOKOMO, Ind. - The IUK men's basketball team defeated the Brescia University Bearcats on Saturday, winning 70-66. With the win, the Cougars rise to 17-5 this season and 7-5 in conference games.

Max Newman scored the first bucket of the game on a layup, before the Bearcats took a 5-2 lead. Newman scored again to make it 5-4, but Brescia responded with a three point shot, before a triple by Hunter Jackson and a Dell DeMyers layup gave the Cougars a 9-8 lead.

The Cougars continued to pull ahead, leading 17-12 after layups by Joseph Annan Jr. and Hunter Jackson. Brescia surged to a 22-21 lead however at the midpoint of the first half, which was quickly shut down by Dell DeMyers, who nailed a three-pointer to put the Cougars back in fron 24-22.

The Bearcats tied the score at 26, before a 12-2 scoring run gave IU Kokomo a 38-36 lead with three minutes remaining in the half.

After a three-pointer from Hunter Jackson and a Brescia jump shot, the Cougars held a 41-33 lead at halftime.

Brescia scored six straight at the start of the second half, and Max Newman hit a layup to bring the lead back up to four. The Bearcats then surged ahead to a 50-43 lead, and the Cougars went on a 6-0 run to come back within one point.

IUK tied the score at 54 with just under ten minutes on the clock, before a Hunter Jackson free throw followed by a layup and a three point shot from Max Newman put the Cougars back in front 60-54.

The Cougars' offensive surge continued as they took a 66-56 lead with five and a half minutes remaining, but Brescia again stormed back to trail by just three entering the final minute of the game. IU Kokomo ultimately halted the Bearcats' comeback attempt, clinching a 70-66 victory at the buzzer.

Joseph Annan Jr. led the Cougars with 19 points in the win, closely followed by Max Newman with 18. Hunter Jackson scored 15 points and Dell Demyers scored 10 points.

The Cougars will be back in action next Tuesday for a home game against IU East, before traveling to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods college for a road contest on Saturday.

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.