IU Indy falls to Youngstown State in Dec. 6 home matchup

Coming into Saturday’s matchup with Youngstown State, the IU Indy Jaguars were searching for consistency after a 3-7 start to the season. Though the Jaguars showed flashes of energy, especially during a strong first-half run, they ultimately fell 78-55 at the Jungle.

IU Indy opened the night with a starting lineup of Micah Davis, Kyler D’Augustino, Maguire Mitchell, Reece Hagy and Finley Woodward – a group that has carried much of the early-season workload as head coach Ben Howlett continues shaping the rotation in his first year.

Youngstown State controlled the game early, jumping ahead by double digits midway through the first half. IU Indy responded with its longest stretch of the night: a 10-0 burst led by Davis, who scored or assisted on all three baskets that pulled the Jaguars within 28-26 with just over five minutes left in the period. But the momentum quickly faded. A missed free throw halted the run, and Youngstown State closed the half on a counterpunch that pushed their lead to 42-30.

Youngstown State opened the second half with 11 unanswered points to extend the margin past 20. Though IU Indy later held YSU scoreless for nearly six minutes, the Jaguars managed only a 9-0 run during that window and couldn’t fully climb back into the game. Shooting inconsistency remained a defining issue. The Jaguars finished at 33% from the field and 4-for-25 from three, including a 1-for-11 mark from deep in the first half. Youngstown State shot 54% overall and won the rebounding battle, 44-29.

Junior guard Kyler D’Augustino, one of IU Indy’s two team captains alongside sophomore Fin Woodward, led the Jaguars with 19 points, fueled by an 11-of-12 performance at the free-throw line. Woodward, starting as both a defensive anchor and floor leader, contributed steady minutes even as the offensive rhythm stagnated. Kameron Tinsley added eight points off the bench, while Davis finished with seven points, five rebounds, and three assists.

After the game, Howlett reflected on the swings that changed the complexion of the night and noted that IU Indy did not overhaul its approach during halftime.

“Yeah, I don’t know if we made any type of adjustment,” Howlett said. “We don’t change much for anybody – we are who we are, and we’re gonna press teams.”

He pointed to pivotal missed opportunities late in the first half – particularly the front end of a 1-and-1 that could have tied the game or given IU Indy the lead – that instead opened the door for a momentum-shifting Youngstown State run.

“That was a pivotal stretch,” he said. “Stuff like that, those two minutes can flip anything.”

D’Augustino credited Youngstown State’s defensive pressure and said IU Indy struggled to capitalize on some of the open looks they generated.

“They pressured the ball really well, so we knew he had to drive and kick,” he said.

“We got some open shots – we just had to hit them. We struggled with shooting tonight. But I mean, it’s not going to happen every time.”

Now 3-8 overall and 0-2 in Horizon League play, the Jaguars will look to reset as they prepare for their next match against Green Bay on Thursday, Dec.11 at home.

Zachary Aigbe is a senior at IU Indianapolis majoring in Media Arts and Sciences, specializing in Game Design and Development. In his spare time, he enjoys driving around the city, playing video games and spending time with family.

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