KOKOMO, Ind. - The IU Kokomo men's basketball team held off IU Southeast in a marquee River States Conference matchup Wednesday night, earning a 66–62 victory over the Grenadiers.

FAST FACTS

• LOCATION: Student Activities & Event Center | Kokomo, IN
• UPDATED RECORDS: IU Southeast - 5-16 (5-4), IU Kokomo - 19-3 (9-0)
• NAIA TOP-25 RANKINGS: IU Southeast - N/A, IU Kokomo - #25

THE RUNDOWN 

• Despite receiving no points from the bench Wednesday night, a strong defensive game plan propelled IU Kokomo to a hard-fought home win over an opponent that had previously beaten the Cougars earlier in the season before it was revealed they had played an ineligible player.
• IU Kokomo got off to a strong start against the visiting Grenadiers, scoring the first six points and jumping out to a 12–2 lead just over four minutes into the game. The Cougars later went cold from the field, allowing the Grenadiers to battle back and take their first lead with 3:29 remaining in the first half.
• The Cougars closed the half on a 10–2 run, re-establishing a 35–29 lead heading into halftime.
• The second half proved to be a dogfight, as a battle between two of the conference's top coaching talents unfolded. After IU Kokomo extended its lead to nine in the opening minutes, the Grenadiers quickly reclaimed a one-point advantage behind six straight points from Nathaniel Hoffman.
• IU Kokomo regained the lead for good moments later at 53–52 with 9:43 remaining, with the two teams combining for just 23 points over the final stretch. After the Cougars built a bit of separation, IU Southeast battled back to within two with 1:35 left. Following an empty possession from IUK, Clawson-Smith rejected Trent Hinkle's layup in the closing seconds, and Jake McGraw sank two free throws to seal a 66–62 IU Kokomo victory.

LEADING THE CHARGE

• With only five Cougars scoring, the Cougars starting five held their own, as Joseph Annan Jr. poured in a game-high 25 points to go along with eight rebounds. Annan Jr. went 11-13 at the charity stripe.
• Jake McGraw pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds to go along with 16 points, recording his fourth double-double of the season and second straight.
• Alonzo Clawson-Smith did a little bit of everything in the win, totaling 13 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, while also adding three steals and a pair of blocks.
• Evan Kretz knocked down three triples on his way to a 10-point performance.

THE ROAD AHEAD

• Next Game: 1/31 at Shawnee State - 3:00 PM
• Next Home Game: 2/7 vs Midway - 3:00 PM

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.