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Indiana University South Bend

Soenksen defense
@jarisaphotographer
87
Indiana South Bend (IN) INDIANA 1-3, 0-0
91
Winner Aquinas (MI) AQUINAS 2-0, 0-0
Indiana South Bend (IN) INDIANA
1-3, 0-0
87
Final
91
Aquinas (MI) AQUINAS
2-0, 0-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Indiana South Bend (IN) INDIANA 50 37 87
Aquinas (MI) AQUINAS 53 38 91

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Titans Come Up Just Short in Back-and-Forth Battle at Aquinas

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. --- IU South Bend found itself on the wrong side of another tightly contested finish Saturday afternoon, falling 91-87 to Aquinas College in the final game of the Drury Inn Classic. A back-and-forth second half featured several momentum swings, but the host Saints made the final push to hand the Titans their second narrow defeat in as many days.

The Titans (1-3) came out firing, building an early 12-6 advantage behind strong offensive execution. However, Aquinas responded with a run of its own, using perimeter shooting to take control midway through the opening half. The Saints stretched their advantage to as many as 14 points before IU South Bend began to chip away.

Trailing 34-20 with under eight minutes remaining in the first half, the Titans found their rhythm offensively. Andrew Soenksen provided a spark with efficient scoring inside and out, while AJ Dunn and Saxton Hoepker connected from beyond the arc. IU South Bend closed the half strong, capped by an and-one finish from Soenksen in the final seconds to trim the deficit to 53-50 at the break.

The momentum carried into the second half, where the two teams traded blows in a thrilling final 20 minutes. Neither side led by more than five points after halftime, with the Titans and Saints exchanging the lead repeatedly.

IU South Bend grabbed its first lead of the second half on a layup from Dunn less than two minutes into the period. The Titans continued to build momentum, eventually taking a 63-58 advantage with just under 13 minutes remaining. Aquinas answered, but IU South Bend continued to respond with timely baskets from Andrew Hedgepeth, J'Siah Jefferson and Chris Hurt to keep the game in its favor.

The Saints eventually regained the lead with just under seven minutes remaining, setting the stage for a frantic finish. The teams continued to trade baskets until Hurt buried a three-pointer with just over four minutes left to put IUSB ahead 79-78. Hoepker followed with another triple, extending the Titans' advantage to four.

Aquinas answered once again, eventually taking an 83-82 lead before Hurt converted a layup with 2:07 remaining to put the Titans back in front. However, the Saints responded with six unanswered points to build an 89-84 advantage in the final minute.

Dunn gave IU South Bend one last chance, converting an and-one with 14 seconds remaining to pull within two. Aquinas answered at the free-throw line, and the Titans' final attempt came up empty, sealing the narrow defeat.

Dunn led the Titans with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Hurt delivered an impressive all-around performance with 17 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Soenksen added 16 points and six rebounds, scoring all 16 in the opening half to help fuel the comeback effort.

Hoepker continued his strong start to the season with 12 points, connecting on four of his six attempts from beyond the arc. The Titans also received contributions from CJ Hornbeak, who added eight points, and Jefferson, who chipped in six.

IU South Bend put together its most efficient offensive performance of the young season, shooting 54.2 percent from the field, 45.5 percent from three-point range and 81.3 percent at the free-throw line. The Titans also controlled the glass with a 36-27 rebounding advantage and outscored Aquinas 44-40 in the paint.

Despite the strong offensive showing, Aquinas matched the Titans' efficiency, shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 47.8 percent from deep. The Saints also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 19 points off IU South Bend miscues to help secure the victory.

The Titans return to the court next Saturday, facing IU Columbus on the road at 1:00 pm.
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