Grenadiers Outlast Brescia 79-76

OWENSBORO, Ky . – The IU Southeast men's basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat Brescia 79-76 on Tuesday.

J.J. Reed led IU Southeast with 22 points and added seven rebounds. Christian Stewart and Anthony Wales Jr. each had 16 points and Lane Lauderbaugh had 14 points in the win.

The Grenadiers (14-8, 9-4 RSC) struggled from three-point range to start the contest which short-circuited the offense. IU Southeast was just 2-of-11 from behind-the-arc in the opening half and was 2-of-7 in the second half.

IU Southeast led 16-10 to start the game but the Bearcats came back to tie the game at 24. The Brescia used a 12-4 run to take a 36-28 lead with 45 seconds left in the half. Anthony Wales Jr. hit a jumper to cut the deficit to 36-30 at halftime.

In the second half, IU Southeast slowly chipped away and took the lead at 50-49 on a Reed jump shot. He extended the lead to 55-51 with another basket.

After the lead went back-and-forth a three-point field goal by Brescia's Javion Johnson tied the game at 66 with four minutes to play.

J.J. Reed answered with a three-pointer to put IU Southeat back in front.

A Christian Stewart layup extended the IU Southeast led to 72-68 and a Brescia turnover and foul put Wales on the line for free throws. He hit both to push the lead to 74-68 with 1:26 to play.

After two Brescia free throws, Anthony Wales Jr. grabbed his own rebound and was fouled. He hit both free throws to extend the lead to 76-70 with 37 seconds left.

The Bearcats hit a three-pointer at the other end, but Wales was fouled again and hit two free throws to secure the win.

IU Southeast was 15-of-20 from the free-throw line in the second half and Wales was 8-of-9.

IU Southeast scored 11 points off of turnoers to Brescia's five which helped the Grenadiers get back into the game.

The Grenadiers host Oakland City Saturday at 3 p.m