TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Xavier Bledson found Cooper Neese on a cut to the basket for the game-winning layup with 1.6 seconds remaining to help the Sycamores to a 69-68 victory over Miami Ohio Saturday afternoon at Hulman Center.
 
After time expired the RedHawks (5-3) heaved a half-court shot that went in, but a second too late as Indiana State ended a four-game losing streak and improved to 4-5 on the season.
 
It was a highly contested game that featured 16 lead changes and nine ties. Miami took its largest lead at 56-47 with 13:02 left to play before ISU began to chip away with Neese playing a key role in the comeback with 10 second-half points.
 
With Miami Ohio leading 58-50 with 9:50 remaining to play, Indiana State reeled off a 10-0 run to take a 60-68 lead. Bledson kickstarted the run with a layup in transition off a MU turnover before Neese answered with a 3-pointer on the fast break to make it a one-possession game at 58-55.
 
ISU was able to tie the game on a second-chance opportunity after freshman Cameron Crawford corralled a rebound and kicked the ball to an open Micah Thomas on the win to tie the game. Thomas then put the Sycamores ahead with a layup at the 4:30 mark.
 
Both squads traded baskets as Bledson converted an and-one opportunity to put the Sycamores on top 63-62 before an Elijah McNamara dunk put the RedHawks back in front 64-63 with 1:46 left.
 
Mekhi Lairy scored the final four points for MU as Crawford and Henry answered with buckets of their own before Neese put ISU in front for good.
 
Seven Sycamores saw action as Cameron Henry scored a game-high 21 points in the win while also pulling down eight rebounds and dishing five assists. Neese recorded his sixth career 20-point performance as the guard hit four of his 10 3-point attempts. Forward Simon Wilbar joined Henry and Neese in double figures with a 10-point outing. Bledson added seven points, four assists and a trio of rebounds.
 
Indiana State shot 44.3 percent (27-61) from the field and 28.6 (8-28) from distance while Miami Ohio was 43.1 percent (28-65) from the field and 30 percent (6-20) from deep. The RedHawks won the rebounding battle 38-33 but ISU was able to take advantage of MU miscues, turning 13 turnovers into 16 points.
 
Lairy led Miami Ohio with 18 points and five rebounds while Dalonte Brown added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Indiana State returns to action on December 13 when the team travels to Fargo to take on North Dakota State.
 
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