Red Wolves - IU East

The Homecoming king put the crowning touches on the Red Wolves' victory.

Senior center Jacobe Edmondson was crowned Homecoming king at halftime, and then had a key block and emphatic dunk in the final minute of the Indiana University East basketball team's 80-74 win against Purdue University North Central on Nov. 14 in the final game of the IU/PU Challenge.

Edmondson's big plays helped the Red Wolves (4-3) close the game on a 10-5 surge after the Panthers (2-2) had closed within 70-69 with 2:30 to go.

"Being Homecoming king is an accomplishment in my life. It's something I can look back on when I think about college," Edmondson said.

"As far as the game, as a big man I had to step up and show I can produce off of the bench, defensively and offensively."

Senior guard Tyler Rigby (Bryant, Ind./Jay County High School) led IU East with 25 points. Rigby and senior guard Bijon Jones (Jackson, Tenn./Southeast Missouri State University) made the event's all-tournament team. Jones had 14 points against Purdue North Central.

Senior forward Justin Hawkins (Evansville, Ind./Kentucky Wesleyan College) had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Senior center Noah Douglas (Indianapolis, Ind./St. Joseph's College) had 11 points and seven rebounds.

Sophomore guard David Sanders (Indianapolis, Ind./Beech Grove High School) contributed points, five assists and four steals.

"Indiana" won the IU/PU Challenge Kesslers Trophy. IU East and Indiana University Southeast combined to win all four of the weekend games against Purdue North Central and Purdue University Calumet.

Fouls and free throws were the dominant stat in the IU East-Purdue North Central game. The teams combined for 52 fouls and shot 65 free throws. IU East made 33 of its 41 attempts - including 27 of 30 in the second half - to earn its fourth consecutive win.

IU East never trailed in the last 17 minutes. Edmondson said the Red Wolves' defense clamped down in the final stretch.

"Defense always makes the difference," he said. "Defense wins the games."

Ryan Sisson led the Panthers with 20 points.

The Red Wolves host Ohio Christian University on Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. at the Richmond High School Tiernan Center. The IU East and Ohio Christian junior varsity squads will play at 6 p.m.