Falcons Lose to Sycamores

The Falcons journey of renewal and self-discovery went on in Terre Haute yesterday, where we lost to Indiana State 62-57.

The game flow went more of less like this. We played poorly in the first half, making 10 turnovers and trailing by 7 at the break. ISU came out hot in the second half and stretched the lead, and was up 11 with 4:36 left.

The Falcons showed some guts and character and stayed with it. We scored the next eight points, and had it to 3 with 3:04 left. ISU had the ball, we fouled, and they hit a couple free throws and the game was never back within one possession again.

A few points:

• 17 turnovers was too many to win on this day.
• We were 3-9 from the line. Tough to win like that.
• We committed 22 fouls. They committed 14. Tough to win like that.
• We have improved on the boards. We outrebounded them.
• We also held them to 43% shooting, which isn't too bad.
• Coach praised Otis Polk for his energy. He had 7 boards, 2 blocks and 5 points in 25 minutes. He was 1-6 from the line....ugh.
• We featured a balanced attack, with four players in double figures.
• Daryl Clements appears to be coming into his own.

The Falcons hit the holiday break, and it is probably a relief to them. This was always going to be tough, but with Marschall out and Hamblet gone, a team that didn't lose much to graduation now finds itself without three of last year's top four scorers and major minute contributors.

Hang with 'em. Eastern Illinois is in town on the 29th.