Mount Vernon, Ohio – Shawnee State men's basketball dropped their first game of the weekend on Friday afternoon, falling to Indiana University-East 91-81 in the Cougar Homecoming Classic, hosted by Mount Vernon Nazarene.
The Bears would lead 4-0 early, but would lose that lead and trail the rest of the game. IU-East shot 55% in the first half to build a 50-37 lead, and would keep SSU at arms' length in the second half to win by 10.
Shawnee State had five players score in double figures, led by Jayllen Carter (JR/Portsmouth, Ohio)'s 18 points. Fred Moore scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, with J Murrell also notching a double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Tamal Watkins (FR/Columbus, Ohio) scored 17, and Corey Benton (FR/Columbus, Ohio) added 10.
Jordan Furlow led IU-East in scoring with 22 points. Kendall Rollins added 20 for the Red Wolves.
With the loss, Shawnee State falls to 1-2 on the young season. IU-East, who are ranked ninth in NAIA Division II, improve to 5-0.
The Bears will play the loser of tonight's game between Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) and Lourdes (Ohio). Game time will be announced later this evening.
