TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Five Sycamores finished in double-figures as Indiana State basketball defeated Oakland City 78-69 Monday night at Hulman Center. ISU improved to 6-6 on the season following the win with an opportunity to finish over .500 in nonconference action on Wednesday at NIU.
 
Xavier Bledson posted a career-high 21 points on 7-for-13 shooting to go along with five assists and five rebounds. Cameron Henry scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Julian Larry dropped in 12 points, including six points at the charity stripe. Kailex Stephens and Micah Thomas added 11 points each while Stephens crashed the glass for seven rebounds.
 
A one-point game with just under three minutes to go, ISU picked up a step-back 3-pointer from Thomas to push its lead to four points before turning up the intensity on the defensive end as Stephens blocked a shot on the next OCU possession.
 
Indiana State went on to burn the next minute of game time as the Trees secured four offensive rebounds before Stephens eventually found the bottom of the net to help ISU go on top 73-67 with 1:12 left to play. Thomas stole the ball from the Mighty Oaks the next possession and ISU shot free throws to ice the game down the stretch.
 
Allen Sims had a team-high 19 points for OCU on 9-of-13 shooting while Jamarcus Clark added 16 points. Overall, the Mighty Oaks shot 47.5 percent (28-59) while making just three shots from distance. ISU recorded eight 3-pointers and was 16-of-20 from the free-throw line in the win.
 
The Sycamores return to action Wednesday night with a trip to DeKalb, Ill., to take on Northern Illinois. Tip with the Huskies is set for 8 p.m. ET from the NIU Convocation Center.
 
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