Indiana State Basketball Faces Uphill Battle at Drake After New Year’s Day Loss
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Indiana State men’s basketball seeks to rebound from a recent defeat as they travel to Des Moines, Iowa, to face drake on Sunday afternoon.The Sycamores are looking to break a longstanding losing streak against the Bulldogs and regain momentum during this crucial stretch of the season.
After leading by five points at halftime on January 1st, indiana State faltered in the second half, ultimately falling to Northern iowa 75-66. The Panthers outscored the Sycamores 43-31 in the final 20 minutes, capitalizing on a strong shooting performance. Obiagu contributed 14 points off the bench, connecting on 6 of his 9 field goal attempts. Jo Van Buggenhout showcased his all-around game, finishing with seven points, five rebounds, and a team-high seven assists. Notably, Indiana State achieved their highest field goal percentage from inside the arc this season, converting 79.3% of their attempts (23-for-29).
Series History Favors Drake
Sunday’s matchup marks the 103rd meeting between Indiana State and Drake, with the Bulldogs holding a commanding 53-49 lead in the all-time series. Drake has historically dominated on their home court, boasting a 34-13 record in Des Moines. The Bulldogs have also won eight of the last ten contests between the two programs.
Indiana State’s last two victories against Drake both occurred in Terre Haute. The Sycamores haven’t secured a win in Des Moines since January 6, 2016, when they prevailed with a final score of 79-69.
Sycamores Showing Promising Individual Growth
Recent performances indicate positive individual trends for several Indiana State players. Jo van Buggenhout has averaged 6.0 assists over the last two games,exceeding his season average of 3.0. Enel St. Bernard, a consistent presence off the bench, has secured at least four rebounds in each of the past eight games, averaging 5.13 rebounds per game during that span. Ian Scott is also experiencing a scoring surge,averaging 18.25 points over his last four games, surpassing his season average of 13.9.
MVC Rankings Highlight Indiana State talent
As of January 1st, several Indiana State players rank prominently in the Missouri Valley conference (MVC) statistics:
- Ian Scott: 2nd in rebounds per game (7.07), 4th in field goal percentage (63.3%), 7th in points per game (13.93), tied for 13th in assists per game (2.64), 12th in free throw percentage (74.5%), 14th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.36), and tied for 15th in blocked shots (0.79).
- Xavier Hall: 2nd in assists per game (4.80), 4th in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.32),and 6th in free throw percentage (82.9%).
- Jo Van Buggenhout: 10th in assists per game (3.00).
- Enel St. Bernard: Tied for 13th in blocked shots (0.80) and tied for 18th in rebounds per game (5.27).
- Camp Wagner: 2nd in three-pointers made (44), 4th in free throw percentage (90.9%), 14th in points per game (12.93),and 18th in three-point percentage (34.6%).
Looking Ahead
Indiana State will return to action on Saturday, january 10, hosting the University of Evansville. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, with doors opening at noon.
For the latest updates on sycamore Basketball, visit GoSycamores.com. Fans can also connect with the team on social media platforms including Twitter,Facebook,Instagram,and YouTube. Stay informed by downloading the March On App,available on both the App Store and Google Play Store.
