Red Wolves - IU East

RICHMOND - The Red Wolves were in the zone on Dec. 2.

And then they weren't.

And then they were.

And then they weren't.

A now-you-see-it, now-you-don't defensive strategy, along with a timely flurry of 3-pointers and clutch free-throw shooting in the final minute, helped the Indiana University East men's basketball team hold on for an 80-75 win against Indiana Institute of Technology at the Richmond High School Tiernan Center.

"I'm really happy to get a win right now," said IU East coach Mark Hester, whose team improved to 5-4. Indiana Tech fell to 2-7.

The Red Wolves went to a defense they call "73" with about 18 minutes left and the Warriors ahead 38-31.

IU East started defensive possessions in a zone, and then switched in the middle of Indiana Tech's possessions.

"I had a feeling when we started changing defenses in the second half we would be able to go on a run," Hester said. "Our kids showed a high basketball IQ to be able to make the adjustments."

The new look slowed the Warriors enough to set the stage for a Red Wolves rally.

Senior guard Bijon Jones (Jackson, Tenn./Southeast Missouri State University), junior guard Tyler Rigby (Bryant, Ind./Jay County High School) and sophomore guard David Sanders (Indianapolis, Ind./Beech Grove High School) made back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the second half to put the Red Wolves ahead to stay.

The trio of treys turned a 48-45 deficit into a 54-48 lead.

IU East wouldn't trail again, but Indiana Tech stayed within striking distance. The Warriors would get within 71-70 with 1:15 remaining.

They would get no closer. Jones and Sanders combined for nine points in the final minute to seal the win. Jones hit two free throws to make it 73-70. A Jones layin on a breakaway made it 75-70. Sanders made four consecutive free throws and Jones made another free throw to round out the scoring.

Senior forward Noah Douglas (Indianapolis, Ind./St. Joseph's College) led IU East with 20 points.

Sanders had 18 points and six assists. Sanders scored 16 of his points in the second half.

"Our senior point guard, Bijon Jones, told me we were a better team when I attack the basket," Sanders said. "That's what I tried to do in the second half."

Jones finished with 15 points and four assists.

(Well, five assists if you count his halftime advice to Sanders).

Shaun Cabrera led Indiana Tech with 20 points.

IU East plays Saturday at Indiana University Northwest.

"We need to start putting some wins together," Hester said. "The more we put together, the better morale is going to be and better practices will be and the more we can focus on the details that will make us better in the long run."

SUCCESSFUL FOOD/CLOTHING TO CONTINUE

Hester thanks IU East fans who donated enough food and clothing during the IU East-Indiana Tech game to fill three large plastic boxes.

The food and clothing items will be donated to area children in need.

Hester announced the food and clothing drive will continue Friday and all of next week.

Non-perishable food items and elementary children's clothing can be dropped off at the Bear Creek Coffee location on the IU East campus in Springwood Hall starting Friday morning, and every day from Dec. 7-11 during Bear Creek hours.

Donated clothing should be a solid color and should not bear a logo so as to conform to a local school district's dress code.