After losing their season opener against Ohio State (118-102) on Nov. 3, the Jaguars were IU Indy Athletics looking to get their first win of the season on Nov. 6 at home against preseason top team in the Northeast Conference, Long Island University (LIU).
Excitement built as students packed the student section and spectators gradually filled the stands for the start of the basketball season and Ben Howlett's first home game as head coach.
The referee’s whistle blew and the opening tip went up, with the Jaguars winning the jump ball to gain first possession. The Jaguars scored the game's first points, which set up the home debut of the system.
The system has the players full court pressing each possession, whether the opposing team makes or misses a basket. It not only has an emphasis on defense, but also on scoring. The system did its job of putting a lot of pressure on LIU, which led to 17 turnovers and in turn steals for the Jaguars. Yet LIU would find a way around it, scoring time and time again.
Despite this, the Jags continued its pursuit to close the gap and would make it a one point game on many occasions, but LIU would not let them take the lead. The Jags were finally able to take the lead within the last couple minutes of the first half and held on to it, ending the first half 53-46.
The Jags quickly committed a foul at the start of the second half, allowing LIU to score first. Both teams traded baskets, with the Jags maintaining their lead even as LIU tied the game multiple times but never pulled ahead.
However, with 1:12 left on the clock, LIU capitalized on missed shots from the Jags and took the lead for the first time in the second half. A dunk by senior Jaxon Edwards—who was fouled on the play—brought the crowd to its feet. The student section placed their hands on their heads, a traditional reaction to a dunk. Edwards' and-one opportunity tied the game at 81-81 after the Jags had trailed 79-81.
With 50 seconds left on the clock and the score at 93–90, the Jags trailed behind. LIU’s defense was tight, preventing the Jags from making a single shot. A timeout was called with 6.1 seconds remaining — the Jags needed just one three-pointer to tie the game and send it into overtime.
After a missed shot, the Jags were forced to foul in order to extend play. LIU made the free throw, and as time wound down, the Jags managed one final attempt. The shot went up before the buzzer but missed the hoop. After a thrilling back-and-forth game, the Jaguars ultimately lost 90-94.
"'Frustrating,'" Howlett said. "'We just made some plays at the end of the game that are uncharacteristic. We kind of lost our heads a little bit. We felt good in the second half when we got up eight and then we turned the ball over and we just had hard time stopping them driving to the rim,'” Ed Holdaway wrote for the IU Indy athletics website.
The Jaguars will have to wait until Saturday, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. for another chance to win in the Jungle when they face Morehead State.
Citlali Sanchez is a senior majoring in sports journalism with a minor in sports marketing. She enjoys going out for boba, shopping (even if she does not buy anything) and watching anime. She can be found volunteering at sporting events in town or out at coffee shops.
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