Blaine Kinsey

GoSycamores.com

TERRE HAUTE, Ind.—Juniors Devonte Brown and Khristian Smith combined to score 44 of the Sycamores 78 points as Indiana State (2-1) won its opening game in the Las Vegas Invitational Saturday 78-66 over the Bears of Brown inside Hulman Center.

Both teams traded baskets early on and with just over 15 minutes remaining in the first half, redshirt freshman Brenton Scott knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Sycamores their first lead of the game at 11-8. 

The Bears quickly retook the lead and pulled out to a 20-15 lead over the Sycamores with 10 minutes to go in the frame, it was all Indiana State to end the half, however.

The Sycamores turned up the intensity on defense as they closed the half on a 21-5 run over the final minutes of the half to give Indiana State a 36-25 advantage over Brown, heading into the locker room.

After halftime, the Bears opened up an 13-4 run of their own to close the Sycamore advantage to 40-38 at the under 16 minute media timeout with just over 15 minutes remaining in regulation.

Two layups by sophomore TJ Bell split by a pair of Smith free throws extended the Sycamore lead to 46-38 but the Bears would not go away, answering the Sycamores call.

Brown kept battling back and cut it to a four-point game with 2:31 remaining before the Sycamores locked down on defense to end the game on a 13-5 run, capped by a Smith dunk with 12 seconds remaining.

Smith led the team with 23 points and three rebounds while Brown added 21 points and six rebounds. Scott also reached double figures for the Sycamores with 11 points and six rebounds.

The Sycamores will return to action Saturday when they host Austin Peay inside Hulman Center with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m.