KOKOMO, Ind. – In a matchup of two of the top teams in the River States Conference, the Indiana University Kokomo men's basketball team outslugged the Golden Bears of WVU Tech to win their eighth straight on Thursday night. 
 
A stifling effort from the IU Kokomo defense was the difference as the Cougars held the Golden Bears to their lowest point total of the season. Coming into the game averaging just over 81 points per contest, WVU Tech scored just 15 points and shot 20 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes of the game. 
 
On the offensive side of the ball, the Cougars were aggressive getting to the rim. IU Kokomo went to the foul line 34 times in the game, connecting on 24 of their free throw attempts. 
 
Desean Hampton was impressive as the fifth-year senior led all scorers with 19 points. Hampton also grabbed nine rebounds, blocked six shots, and dished out four assists in the victory. 
 
IU Kokomo jumped out to an early lead when Hunter White connected on a triple from the corner. On the Cougars' next possession, Trequan Spivey drove the lane and drew a foul. Spivey knocked down both free throws to give the Cougars an early 5-0 advantage. 
 
The Golden Bears took their first lead of the game with 8:42 to play in the opening half when Keondre' King buried a three to make it 21-18. IUK would get within one point of the WVU Tech lead but would head to the locker room facing a 32-29 deficit. 
 
Allante Harper gave IU Kokomo the lead back with 16:44 to play in the game as the senior converted a pair of free throws. This would be a lead the Cougars' would never relinquish. 
 
With 7:43 to play in the game, the Cougars led 45-42. For the remainder of the contest, the IUK defense put the clamps on the Golden Bears, holding them to just five points during that span. A layup from Hampton gave IUK its first double digit lead of the game at 52-42. 
 
Harper finished the game with 12 points while Hunter White added 13. Julien Hunter gave the Cougars big minutes off the bench scoring five points and grabbing seven rebounds. 
 
It will be a quick turnaround for the Cougars as they host Rio Grande on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Student Activities and Events Center.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.