CHICAGO – The Roosevelt men's basketball team rallied back from 14 points down in the second half to defeat Indiana South Bend, 80-76, at the Goodman Center on Saturday.
Korey Ryan scored 13 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, while newcomer Zack Harris tallied 18 points on a 7-for-9 game from the field along with pulling down a game-best eight rebounds and swatting three shots, including a big block late, during his home debut and first start for the Lakers (4-5, 2-2 CCAC).
Jake Ludwig added 16 points while Kevin Priebe contributed 12 points and six boards.
T.J. Benner and Javonte Young scored a team-high 14 points apiece for the Titans (8-3, 3-2 CCAC), who led for a vast majority of the game after connecting on eight three-point field goals in the first half while Roosevelt struggled with 11 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
With Harris, a brawny 6-foot-10 presence playing only his second game of the season, in the post while Ryan hit big shot after big shot, including all five of Roosevelt's made treys, the Lakers cut at the disadvantage and eventually invoked their trademark defense to hold the Titans scoreless for over three minutes near the end of the game. That defensive-led drought spurred a decisive 10-0 run by Roosevelt that flipped a six-point deficit into a four-point lead for the Green and White.
Kyle Bumbalough split a pair of free throws with nine seconds left to make it a three-point Laker lead, and Mark White found out the difference that Harris makes in the lane when his quick drive and subsequent layup attempt in the game's waning moments was stifled by Harris' outstretched arms for a block, defensive rebound and eventual Titan foul that led the Streamwood native to the stripe for a split that put the contest out of reach for the Titans.
"We showed outstanding resolve and scrappiness in the second half after getting down by a double-digit lead [for IUSB]," said Roosevelt head coach Joe Griffin. "Our comeback was predicated on taking what the offense gave us after breaking the press and taking care of the ball with only six turnovers in the second half. Holding them to 34.3 percent shooting in the second half and 37 percent for the game is championship-level defense as well.
"Our rebounding was better this game, but it still is a work in progress," Griffin observed. "Indiana South Bend is a very talented team with a unique style that presented a great barometer of where we are and where we can go."
Roosevelt will take some time away for final exams this week and return to game action this Thursday, Dec. 10 when the Lakers host Cardinal Stritch at 7 p.m.
