Jags Get First-Ever Division I Postseason Win; Race Past Hofstra in CBI Opener, 74-60
Jags open with 21-2 run and never look back

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HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - The IUPUI basketball team picked up its first-ever postseason victory at the Division I level as it raced past host Hofstra in the opening round of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI), 74-60. The Jaguars roared out to a 21-2 lead in the opening 7:26, prompting two early Hofstra timeouts and never trailed in the contest.

IUPUI (25-10) will now host Princeton (21-8) on Monday night in the CBI quarterfinals. Senior Robert Glenn led the way with 32 points and Alex Young added 18 in the victory.

"I'm happy for my guys," IUPUI Head Coach Ron Hunter said. "We came out and threw the first punch and that's what you've got to do to get road wins. This was big for us and big for our campus. Now we get to go home and play another game in The Jungle.

"I hope our students come out in full force and have that place rocking."

Glenn was rocking from the opening tipoff on Wednesday night as he and Young combined to score the Jaguars' first 21 points. Included in that was a Glenn reverse dunk off a lob from Billy Pettiford and a steal and dunk that forced the second timeout. Hofstra finally began gaining traction, cutting IUPUI's lead down to 29-23 at the 3:14 mark on a Nathaniel Lester jumper. However, IUPUI closed the half with an 8-1 burst, capped by John Ashworth's three at the buzzer to take a 37-24 lead to the break.

The Jaguars seemingly countered every Hofstra (19-15) attack in the second half, primarily at the free throw line. Hunter's team outscored The Pride 28-18 at the charity stripe with 22 of the makes coming after intermission. The closest Hofstra got in the second half was 50-41 at the 6:59 mark when CAA Player of the Year Charles Jenkins completed a three-point play, but Glenn scored the game's next four points at the stripe.

The 6-foot-7 Glenn hit 14-of-17 freebies and the Jags made an even 80 percent of their attempts. Glenn's 17 attempts set a new CBI single-game record while his 14 makes tied for the single-game mark with UTEP's Stefon Jackson. His 32 points were the fourth-highest total in a CBI game in history.

"I liked that we were able to get to the free throw line and capitalize on those opportunities," Hunter said. "Especially Rob, they had no answer for him on the inside."

Glenn hit 9-of-18 from the floor to go along with six rebounds and four steals. Young scored his 18 on a 5-of-13 shooting night. Senior Jon Avery grabbed a team-high seven rebounds off the bench and Pettiford added five points, five rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots. Ashworth scored eight points, including a pair of timely threes, to go along with four assists.

Jenkins led Hofstra with 21 points and backcourt mate Chaz Williams finished with 13.

"I don't think we fully understand how big this is," Hunter said. "We're still playing right now and a lot of teams are at home watching. I want my guys to enjoy this win tonight and then we go back to work and start preparing to win on Monday."

IUPUI's game with Princeton on Monday will make the first meeting between the two schools. The winner will play the winner of the Boston/Morehead State on Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m..

Pregame coverage will begin at approximately 6:50 as Scott McCauley (play-by-play) and Jared Lux (analyst) describe the action. Fans are urged to wear black as the Jaguars BLACKOUT The Jungle.