November 7, 2012
For Immediate Release
Upland, Ind. – Senior Melvin Brooks (Memphis, TN/Marion Military) buried a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the 25th ranked Indiana Tech men’s basketball team to a thrilling 54-53 win over Taylor University in Odle Arena on Wednesday night.
Taylor, who is receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, took a two point lead with two ticks left on the clock, but a long inbound pass by Jordan Hickman (Bardstown, KY/Vincennes) set up the Brooks’ game-winning three.
The win keeps Tech perfect on the year, moving to 4-0, while the Trojans fall to 2-1.
The Warriors led for most of the first half and used an 8-2 run late in the period to open up a nine point advantage, eventually taking a 35-26 lead into halftime.
Taylor came out of the break hot, hitting six of their first eight shots, to trim the deficit to three, 41-38, at the 13:00 mark.
But a big three from Hickman extended the Warrior lead back to six, 44-38, with 11:30 remaining in the game.
The Trojans kept battling back though and a 7-0 run gave Taylor their first lead since midway through the first half.
However, Hickman would answer again, scoring five straight points to put the Warriors back in front.
The Warriors held the lead until Taylor knocked down a three to go ahead 51-50 with :46 to play.
A free throw by Brooks would tie the game, but on TU’s next possession they would run the clock down before making the go-ahead basket with :02 left.
That proved to be just enough time for Hickman to find Brooks for the buzzer-beating shot.
Brooks, Hickman, and Jeff Hoskins (Kalamazoo, MI/Indiana Wesleyan) all finished with 13 points to lead the way. Hickman went 3-for-5 from behind the arc and dished out four assists. Antwan Cathey (Memphis, TN/Eastern Oklahoma State) scored four points and grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
Indiana Tech returns to action on Friday, Nov. 9 when they travel to Ohio State University-Lima in a 5:30 p.m. tip. The Warriors will then return home to host crosstown rival University of Saint Francis on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.
For more information on Indiana Tech athletics please call the Athletic Office at 260-422-5561 ext. 2492 or visit our website at http://www.indianatech.edu/athletics
