Indiana State Breaks Through!

(St. Louis, MO) – Indiana State has been so close to making national headlines and Tuesday night, they finally did. When the Sycamores knocked off #16 Butler 72-71 Wednesday night, some of the frustration of earlier close losses passed away.

ISU (5-4) handed the Bulldogs (8-1) their first loss of the season and defeated a Top 25 team for the first time since 2013 and for the fifth time in head coach Greg Lansing’s seven year career in Terre Haute. The Sycamores previously lost to then #21 Iowa State by two points and to the Pac-12’s Stanford by three. Their four of their losses have been by a combined total of ten points (one in overtime). Ironically, three of their wins have been by a total of eight points (one in overtime).

Coach Lansing told gosycamores.com he knew his team had a chance against their Big East opponent.

“A huge win for us tonight,” said Lansing. “Our guys emptied their tanks. We thought we had a good chance to beat them if we carried out our game plan. But we knew it wouldn’t be easy. We have tremendous respect for (Butler), they’re going to win a bunch of basketball games. We’re showing we’re getting better.”

Brenton Scott’s free throw with 1.5 seconds left was the winning margin. For the second time this season a nationally ranked team from Indiana was defeated by a mid major team with one of the TWIN-brother Scott’s leading the way. Brenton’s twin Bryson was at the controls when Fort Wayne upset the Indiana Hoosiers. Bryson finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Brenton finished Wednesday’s game with 25 points and the game winning free throw.

Matt Van Scyoc who struggled during the Sycamore three-game losing streak has regained his shooting touch. After opening the season with three straight games of 14 points, he accumulated scoring totals of  4, 1, 9 and 4. Against Utah State he scored 14 and Wednesday chipped in with 23 points, connecting on six of nine shots from three. Prior to the Utah State game he had gone three for 18 from deep and in the last two games, the 6’6 senior has connected nine times in 15 attempts.

Lansing said Van Scyoc has been trying to stay confident.

“If he takes his first one and it barely misses, it effects him,” said Lansing. “I keep telling him ‘just let the game come to you’. Matt plays so hard. He is absolutely doing everything he can at both ends of the floor for us.”

6’7 junior Brandon Murphy came up big off the bench scoring nine points and grabbing 10 rebounds.  Lansing said Murphy’s contribution was big.

“Murph was big,” said Lansing. “I am really happy with Murph and the contributions he made battling and getting double digit rebounds.”

The win was the first this year against a ranked team for the Missouri Valley Conference. Valley teams are now 18-19 all-time against Top 25 non-conference teams on their home floors. This season the MVC is 5-12 against ‘Power 6’ teams (ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 & SEC).

The league’s next opportunity for a ‘power 6’ victory is Saturday when Wichita State travels to Oklahoma.

Do Good

Editor: All quotes from Coach Lansing come courtesy of gosycamores.com