MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: IU EAST 84, AKRON-WAYNE 74

UPLAND, Ind. - Junior forward Josh Cook (Gas City, Ind./Mississinewa High School)
scored a career-high 27 points as the Indiana University East men's basketball team
defeated the University of Akron-Wayne College 84-74 on Dec. 8 in the consolation
game of the Taylor University Ivanhoe Classic.
The NAIA Division II No. 23 Red Wolves improved to 6-4. The Warriors, who play in
the Ohio Regional Campus Conference, are 2-8.
"It was hard to come back after a loss (Dec. 7 against Trinity International in the
tournament semifinals) and we were really down from the loss," said freshman guard
Jeff Hopper (Plainfield, Ind./Cascade High School), who matched his season best with
13 points. "We talked at halftime and said, 'We can't lose twice this weekend. We've
got to get one win this weekend.' And we learned when we play with energy, we play
our best."
Hopper scored 10 of his points in a 17-3 IU East surge midway through the second
half that turned a 60-59 deficit into a 76-63 Red Wolves lead.
The Warriors would get within four, but freshman guard Vasha Davis (Hammond,
Ind./Morton High School) hit a timely 3-pointer with a minute remaining to seal the
win.
Sophomore guard Huston Clark (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo High School) represented IU East
on the all-tournament team. Clark posted double-doubles in both of IU East's
tournament games.
De'shon Hudson led Akron-Wayne with 25 points.
IU East returns to action Dec. 11 at Wilberforce University. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.