Men's Basketball: IU Kokomo 81, IU East 72

KOKOMO, Ind. - The Indiana University East men's basketball team fell 81-72 in a River States Conference matchup at IU Kokomo on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

The Red Wolves are now 7-16 overall and 3-10 in the league. IU Kokomo is 18-5 and 8-5.

Ibra Athie led IU East with 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Antuane Allen also finished with 16 points.

Tobey Billups tossed in 12 points as Colt Meyer added 10 points.

IU Kokomo began the night in the Student Activities and Events Center with a 10-0 advantage before the Red Wolves battled back cut their deficit to 24-21 when Athie scored with 5:28 left in the first half. The Cougars were on top 36-31 by the intermission.

In the second half, IU East fought its way back as Billups nailed a 3-pointer to tie it at 42-42 at the 16:37 mark.

Billups drilled another trey to put IU East in front 49-48 with 12:21 on the clock.

After Athie scored to give the Red Wolves a 52-51 lead at 9:25, the Cougars went on a decisive 13-point run. The result had IU Kokomo up 65-51 with 6:23 remaining and the Cougars were able to maintain their lead the rest of the way.

Next up for IU East is a road trip to St. Mary-of-the-Woods College on Thursday, Feb. 8. The league contest begins at 6 p.m.