KOKOMO, Ind. - IU Kokomo junior student-athlete Evan Kretz broke a program record for threes made in a game Saturday, all while notching career-highs in points and rebounds in a 109-68 IUK victory over IU Columbus.

The Cougars are now 12-4 overall and 3-1 in River States Conference play, having won seven straight games.

The Cougars shot 53.8% from the field and 40% from beyond-the-arc in their highest scoring game of the season to this point.

Despite the outcome being a 41-point victory for the Cougars, it was slow-going early, as IU Columbus stayed within striking distance and led 12-9 at the under-15 media timeout. 

Leading by one, Kedric Anderson completed an old-fashioned three-point play and Drake Moore knocked down a triple to extend the IU Kokomo lead to seven with 7:15 to play in the first half.

IU Columbus's Owen Law responded with a triple of his own to cut their deficit to four, but the Cougars scored the next five points to lead by nine at 33-24. 

With 2:29 remaining in the first half, IU Kokomo led by five, but a 9-0 scoring run to end the half gave the Cougars a 46-32 halftime lead after struggling to gain separation for much of the half.

Seventh year head coach Eric Echelbarger's squad scored the first eight points of the second half as IUK extended their lead to 22. 

The second half quickly became the Evan Kretz show, as the Western HS product hit six second-half triples. His first two came on consecutive possessions and extended the lead to 27 with 10:47 to play.

Kretz's record-breaking triple came with 1:54 remaining, as he drilled his ninth trey of the game to set a new program record and extend the IUK lead to 42. The Cougars cruised to a 109-68 victory, as all eight available players scored in the victory.

As mentioned, the Russiaville native Kretz scored a career-high 31 points while grabbing 11 rebounds for his first career double-double. He was 9/17 from three-point range, good for a new program record for three-pointers made in a game.

Forwards Max Newman and Noah Harris each recorded double-doubles as well, with Newman tallying 19 points and 13 rebounds and Harris totaling 10 points and 12 boards. 

Joseph Annan Jr. and Kedric Anderson each scored in double-figures, with Annan Jr. adding 17 points and Anderson chipping in 13.

The Cougars will stay home to host conference leaders SMWC Tuesday at 5:30 PM in a massive match-up.

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.