MURRAY, Ky. – Robbie Avila posted a career-high 18 points Saturday evening, but the Sycamores saw their losing streak hit a season-high four games as Indiana State fell 82-73 to Murray State at CSFB Center.
 
The Sycamores (13-8, 6-4 MVC) rode an 11-0 run across the end of the first half into the second, including a buzzer-beating putback from Cade McKnight that tied things up at 36-all at the break. After opening the second half with three-straight buckets to take a 42-36 lead, the Sycamores gave up a 9-0 Racer run that turned the lead over to Murray State (11-9, 6-4 MVC) for the rest of the game.
 
Courvoisier McCauley paced all scorers in the game with 19 points, and Avila pulled down a tied team-high seven boards alongside his 18 points. Cooper Neese also hauled in seven rebounds, and Cameron Henry dished out a game-high six assists beside 16 points. McKnight rounded out the Sycamores in double-figures with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
 
Back-to-back triples for McCauley put the Sycamores up 8-2 at 17:28 in the opening frame, and Indiana State continued to build on that early lead with a pair of Robbie Avila layups. The lead hit double digits at 16-6 on the free throw of Avila's and-one with 15:17 to play in the first half.
 
Back-to-back and-ones for Murray State cut ISU's lead to 16-12, but McKnight checked in and immediately laid up a basket to cut off the Racer run. Murray State took its first lead of the game at 2:55 in the first half on two-straight buckets from DJ Burns. ISU trailed 36-31 with 1:32 left in the opening half, but McKnight completed the and-one and then grabbed an offensive board to set himself up for the buzzer-beating putback to tie things up at 36 at the half.
 
After going up 42-36 with their three-straight buckets to open the second half, the Sycamores got down 50-47 at 13:23 after the 9-0 Murray State run. The two teams were tied 50-50 with 12:18 to go, but Murray State retook the lead on a pair of free throws a minute later and would never concede the lead the rest of the way.
 
Inside the Numbers

• The Sycamores shot 44.4 percent (28-of-63) from the field compared to Murray State's 42.6 percent (26-of-61).
• Indiana State shot 5-for-30 from three with all five triples coming from Courvoisier McCauley. ISU held the Racers to 2-of-18 from three.
• ISU was 12-of-20 from the free throw line and Murray State was 28-of-33 from the line.
• There were three lead changes in the game. ISU led for 20:25 and Murray State led for 16:00.
• There were also eight ties, and the two teams spent 3:32 tied in the game.
• ISU's 13 offensive rebounds are the most offensive rebounds for the Sycamores this season and just the fourth time they've had 10 or more offensive rebounds in a game.

News & Notes

• Robbie Avila's 18 points bested his previous career-high of 16 set against Drake in ISU's Valley opener Nov. 30.
• With a team-high 19 points, Courvoisier McCauley pushed his double-digit scoring streak to 13 games. Tonight was the first time he's hit five triples in a game since hitting six at Miami (Ohio) Dec. 3.
• This four-game skid marks ISU's longest losing streak of the season, and it's the current longest losing streak out of the 10 Valley teams with two or more wins. 

Up Next
The Sycamores play their second of back-to-back nationally televised road games at Drake Tuesday, Jan. 24. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET tip on CBS Sports Network.
 
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