KOKOMO, Ind. - With Saturday's narrow Senior Day victory over Brescia, IU Kokomo men's basketball secured its fifth River States Conference West Division title in the last seven seasons (excluding the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign), marking the fifth division crown under eighth-year head coach Eric Echelbarger.

FAST FACTS - 81-78 win vs Brescia University

• LOCATION: Student Activities and Events Center | Kokomo, IN
• UPDATED RECORDS: Brescia University - 6-19 (6-10), IU Kokomo - 22-6 (12-4)
• NAIA TOP-25 RANKINGS: Brescia University - N/A, IU Kokomo - RV

THE RUNDOWN

• IU Kokomo scored the first four points of the game and led throughout much of the opening half before the Bearcats of Brescia University answered late in the half and carried that momentum into the second.
• Leading by four with 11:01 to play in the first half, the Cougars used an 11-0 run over the next three and a half minutes to build their largest lead of the game at 32-17. Brescia responded by outscoring IU Kokomo 22-13 over the final seven minutes of the half, trimming the deficit to six at the break.
• Brescia opened the second half with a 10-0 run to take a four point lead, their first of the game, and stretched it to as many as eight. Head coach Eric Echelbarger's squad gradually chipped away at the Bearcats' advantage, reclaiming a lead with 7:09 remaining.
• The Cougars and Bearcats traded the lead four more times in the closing minutes, including three times in the final three minutes. After Brescia took a 78-77 lead with 2:04 remaining, the IU Kokomo defense held the Bearcats scoreless for the remainder of the game, with Alonzo Clawson-Smith and Kedric Anderson accounting for IU Kokomo's final 14 points. Anderson gave the Cougars a 79-78 lead with a layup, and after a defensive stop and rebound, he was fouled and made both free throws, sealing an 81-78 win over Brescia and clinching another West Division title.

LEADING THE CHARGE

• Playing 39 of 40 minutes, Alonzo Clawson-Smith delivered a standout performance with 23 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line to help seal the division-clinching victory.
• Kedric Anderson sparked the Cougars in the second half, pouring in 14 of his 17 points after the break while shooting an efficient 6-of-8 from the field to help secure the victory.
• Joseph Annan Jr. totaled 12 points and seven rebounds, while fellow post player Ibrahim Diakite chipped in seven points and pulled down an IU Kokomo career-high 10 boards.

THE ROAD AHEAD

• Next Game: 2/25 vs WVU Tech - 6:00 PM EST (River States Conference Championship Quarterfinal)

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.