KOKOMO, Ind. -- The dynamic guard duo of graduate students Cory Gardner and Tre Beard combined to score 44 points on 17-of-32 shooting from the field, but the Shawnee State men's basketball program fell to the Indiana-Kokomo Cougars' men's basketball program, 85-73, Saturday afternoon in a River States Conference contest that was held at the Indiana-Kokomo Student Activities and Events Center in Kokomo, Ind.
Shawnee State shot 45.2 percent from the field (28-of-62) from the floor and forced Indiana-Kokomo into 16 turnovers to garner a plus-two turnover margin advantage, but the Bears (10-12, 5-5 River States Conference) allowed the Cougars (14-8, 5-5 River States Conference) to shoot 56.4 percent from the field (31-of-55) and 52.6 percent from three-point range (10-of-19). The Cougars' 19 assists on their 31 made shots, compared to the Bears' seven, and a plus-12 rebounding advantage for IU-Kokomo (37-25) proved to be difference-making stats in the contest.
Beard, Gardner continue efficient scoring ways
Like bulldogs, talented guards Tre Beard and Cory Gardner continued to come at the Indiana-Kokomo defense throughout the game.
Gardner, who scored 11 of Shawnee State's first 22 points, posted 13 first-half tallies on 6-of-9 shooting in the opening half -- then added 12 points, three rebounds and three assists in the second half, making big plays time and again to keep Indiana-Kokomo honest all the way between the Owensboro, Ky. native's proficient shooting from mid-range and his spirited attacking style at the basket.
Beard, meanwhile, kept Indiana-Kokomo tensed up with the Chillicothe product's shooting from deep and at the free throw line. Ultimately, Beard scored 11 of his 19 points in the second half en route to going 6-of-13 from the field, 4-of-9 from three-point range and a perfect 3-of-3 from the charity stripe.
For the season, Beard is averaging 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals per outing on 50 percent shooting from the field, a 48 percent clip from three-point range and a 92.3 percent mark from the free throw line, while Gardner has notched 17.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, four assists and 2.1 steals on 59.2 percent shooting.
Career-wise, Beard's 218 three-point field goal makes are second in program history -- just 43 off of the school record set by Shawnee State alum Jeff Fraley (261) -- after Beard drained six on the Indiana road swing against Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and Indiana-Kokomo. Gardner, meanwhile, is up to 726 career points as a collegiate basketball player.
Additional
Donovan Lovelace added 10 points and five rebounds for Shawnee State.
The Bears will get back to action Tuesday, Feb. 4 in a road contest against West Virginia Tech. Tip off is slated for 6 p.m. at the Raleigh County Convention Center in Beckley, W. Va.
