FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Stifling second half defense helped the Indiana Tech men's basketball team defeat Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference foe, Lourdes, 74-62 at the Schaefer Center on Saturday afternoon.

The game featured four ties and five lead changes, but it was an incredible second half defensive effort by the Warriors (5-6, 3-3 WHAC) which limited the Gray Wolves (7-3, 4-2 WHAC) to 12-for-34 (35.3%) shooting, including a 0-for-3 mark from long range that won the game.

Lourdes got off to a fast start, outscoring Tech 10-3 in the opening four minutes, but Franklin Lindsey hit a three-pointer to end the run and started an 11-4 Warriors run to tie the score for the first time at 14. Tyrese Edwards and Josh Fleming then drained back-to-back threes to give Tech its first lead of the contest before Milos Milidragovic made it eight unasnwered for the 22-14 advantage. The Gray Wolves clawed back, outscoring Tech 16-7 to close the half and take a 30-29 lead into the break.

After Lourdes opened the second half with a jumper, Lindsey scored the next eight points to give Tech a five-point margin. A Chester McFadden three, his first points of the contest, pushed the advantage to six, but an 8-0 run by the visitors gave Lourdes the two-point lead. Lavonte Davis then earned three points the old fashioned way to put the Orange and Black back in front for good. Davis recorded one of his four blocks next time down the floor and Fleming followed with a trey and a pair of free throws to make the lead six with 10:46 to play. Lourdes put together a couple runs, cutting the lead to three, but McFadden answered with five straight points and Tanner Watkins hit a big three to push the lead to 11 with 6:04 left. The Warriors hit their free throws down the stretch to seal the 74-62 victory.

Tech continued to play well offensively, finishing the contest 23-for-47 (48.9%) from the floor, 10-for-19 (52.6%) from behind the arc and 18-for-22 (81.8%) at the charity stripe. The Warriors also tallied 29 rebounds and 13 assists while the defense limited Lourdes to 41.1 percent (23-for-56) shooting and a 36.4 percent (4-for-11) mark from long range.

Fleming finished with a game-high 18 points while Lindsey and Davis each just missed double-doubles scoring 14 and 12 points, respectively, while also tallying nine rebounds apiece.

The Warriors return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 9 when they travel to Winona Lake, Ind. for a non-conference tilt with Grace, who is currently receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll.

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