TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana State men's basketball earns the win at Hulman Center on Saturday, beating Belmont 94-64 to move to 14-3 overall and 5-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Isaiah Swope had a career day for Indiana State, draining eight three-pointers en route to 24 points while shooting 61.5% on the day. Robbie Avila contributed in multiple ways, finishing with a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, and he dished out five assists.

Jayson Kent scored 19 points and recorded seven rebounds, tying his season-high in steals with three. Kent was a perfect 7-for-7 from inside the three-point line and finished 8-for-10 from the floor. Ryan Conwell knocked down three three-pointers to score 15 points in the game, making three triples. Julian Larry pitched in 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting while recording five assists. Xavier Bledson tallied a game-high six assists.

Robbie Avila started the game scoring the first six points for the Sycamores to help ISU to a 12-3 lead in the first five minutes. The run was ended by a pair of Belmont free throws to cut the deficit to seven points, which was the smallest lead held by the Sycamores for the rest of the game. Belmont went on a 9-0 run in 2:25 to make it a 37-27 game with 4:37 to play, but Indiana State made 3-of-6 shots from the field and went 5-for-5 from the free throw line to help take a 48-32 lead into halftime.

The Sycamores exploded out of the halftime break with a 17-0 run, highlighted by the Sycamores shooting 6-for-7 in the first four minutes. Kent got the Sycamores going with a layup, followed by four straight triples from Conwell, Larry, Conwell again, and Masen Miller to score 16-straight and give Indiana State its first 30-point lead of the game. Larry then knocked down a free throw coming out of the first media timeout for the 17th point of the scoring run, giving the Sycamores a 65-32 lead.

Indiana State continued making baskets down the stretch. Avila dunked his first of the season off one of Larry's five assists. A few minutes later, from 8:39 to 5:24, Indiana State for the second time knocked down four straight three-pointers by Bledson, two from Swope, and Joke Wolfe. Coach Schertz emptied the bench for the last five minutes where the Sycamores held for the 30-point, 94-64 victory.

News & Notes

• The Sycamores continue the 2023-24 season with its best record under Coach Josh Schertz with a 14-3 overall record. 
• Isaiah Swope moved into second place in the single-game three-pointers made category with eight, set by Cooper Neese (3/3/23 vs Belmont) and Marico Stinson (12/30/06 vs Drake) who each hit nine.
• Xavier Bledson's game-high six assists is his second-most since he recorded 11 assists in the season opener against Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
• Saturday's 30-point victory is the fourth time the Sycamores have won by 30+ points (Belmont, Southern Illinois, IUPUI, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods).
• Indiana State finished shooting 55% (33-for-60) from the floor, the fourth-best of the season and the best since the Ball Dawgs Classic against Pepperdine (59.2%).
• The rebound margin of +11 for Indiana State is the best since the win against Southern Indiana (+20). Indiana State outscored the Bruins 34-12 (+22) which is also the best since the win against Southern Indiana.
• Of ISU's 94 points, 80 points were scored by the five starters.
• Ryan Conwell has scored in double figures in 15 of his 16, Isaiah Swope in 15 of his 16 games, Jayson Kent in 15 of his 17, and Robbie Avila in 13 of his 15.

Postgame Press Conference Presented by Team Green Law


Postgame Radio Interview with Joey O'Rourke and Coach Josh Schertz


Up Next
The Sycamores return to the Hulman Center on Tuesday, January 16 to host Missouri State. Tuesday's promotions include a Baby Blue Out, a baby blue t-shirt giveaway, and a rollabanas giveaway.

Hall of Fame In-Game Recognition
The Sycamores recognized members of the newly inducted 31st Indiana State Hall of Fame class during the in-game media timeouts on Saturday. The 31st ISU Hall of Fame Class is listed below (Read More Here)

• Anton Hulman Jr. (Donor - 1969-77)
• Jenny Folz (Women's Track & Field - 1998-99)
• Cathy Baker (Athletic Administration - 1986-2010)
• Megan Stone (Softball - 2011-15)
• Frankie Young (Men's Track & Field - 1996-99)

Follow the Sycamores
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