IU Southeast clips (RV) Point Park, hands Pioneers their first loss

NEW ALBANY, Ind. -- IU Southeast made three 3-pointers in the final three minutes to clip Point Park University, 82-77, in a River States Conference men's basketball game on Saturday. It was the first loss of the year for the Pioneers (14-1, 4-1 RSC), who are currently "receiving votes" in the NAIA Top 25 Poll.

IU Southeast (7-7, 3-3 RSC) proved to be upset minded once again as they took down an undefeated team on their home court for the second time this season. The Grenadiers beat Cumberlands (Ky.) when it was 12-0 earlier this year. 

Jocobi Hendricks was the thorn in Point Park's side as the senior guard had 41 points for IU Southeast. With Point Park guarding a 70-69 lead with 3:00 to play, he nailed a couple of 3-pointers -- and teammate J.J. Reed had one in between. All of a sudden, Point Park was facing a 78-72 deficit with just 59 seconds left. 

Point Park's Jalen Stamps connected on a 3-pointer on the Pioneers' next possession to keep hope alive, 78-75, with 48 seconds to go. But Hendricks was there to deliver a clutch basket on the other end. After milking down the clock, he hit a jumper for a 80-75 advantage. Hendricks was 17 for 25 from the field. 

Nazareth Fisher continued his late charge scoring on the inside to pull Point Park within 80-77. A pair of free throws by IU Southeast's Lane Lauderbaugh with six seconds left all but iced it, 82-77.

Stamps finished with a team-high 25 points for the Pioneers. He made three 3-pointers throughout the day and also added five assists. 

Jo Valrie totaled 20 points and 10 rebounds to get his season averages. Nathaniel Van scored 13 points connecting on 3 for 6 from long range and making all four of his free throws. 

Fisher, a 6-10 center, came up big off the bench with 10 points and seven rebounds. Most of that came down the final stretch as he made 4 of 7 from the field and 2 of 3 at the foul line. 

Hendricks was 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. The 3-pointers and long twos were his main arsenal to keep the Grenadiers ahead most of the game. J.J. Reed added 13 points, and although he was 4 for 16 shooting, he connected on three big 3-pointers throughout the day. Lauderbaugh added 14 points on 5 for 10 from the field and 4 for 4 free throws as those three combined for 68 of the 82 points. 

It was a fairly even game in some key categories. Point Park had an edge of 45-42 in rebounds. Both teams made their free throws well with Point Park 19 for 22 and IU Southeast 15 for 19. Turnovers were 12 for Point Park and 11 for IU Southeast.

Although the turnover number wasn't a season high by any means for the Pioneers, those came at bad times when they were trying to cut into the lead or go ahead. Hendricks was a culprit in this area as well with five steals to go along with his five assists. 

Point Park was trailing from the start with Hendricks and Reed hitting shots on the first two possessions. That led to a 12-4 lead for IU Southeast the first five minutes. 

The Pioneers were later down, 20-11, but they got back into it trailing 33-28 late in the half. At the break, Point Park was down, 39-32, with just 24-percent shooting the first half. 

Point Park managed its first lead at 52-51 on a drive by Stamps with just under 12 minutes to play. The lead changed hands several times from that point on. 

The Pioneers were facing a 67-61 deficit with 7:04 remaining. A strong charge from Point Park started with Stamps nailing a 3-pointer. Then Fisher scored on the inside off an assist from Stamps. Fisher made a pair of free throws on the next possession and scored another inside basket on the Pioneers' next trip after that. All of that had Point Park ahead, 70-69, with 3:00 to play.

IU Southeast's late flurry of 3-pointers came next to provide the difference. The Grenadiers were 7 for 14 from deep whereas Point Park was 6 for 24. 

Point Park plays its next two games on the road as well. The Pioneers travel to Oakland City (Ind.) on Jan. 11 and go to Brescia (Ky.) on Jan. 13 for RSC East-West Division crossover games.