KOKOMO, Ind. - The IU Kokomo men's basketball team opened 2025 the way they closed 2024, winning. Seventh year head coach Eric Echelbarger, alongside assistants Tre'Quan Spivey and Lennon Hardy, led the Cougars to their fifth-straight win, a 77-60 triumph over visiting Oakland City.

IU Kokomo improves to 10-4 overall and 1-1 in River States Conference action with Saturday's victory.

With the Cougars and Mighty Oaks knotted at four nearly four minutes into each team's 2025 opener, IU Kokomo reeled off nine-straight points to lead 13-4.

An Aamir Mack bucket in the paint for Oakland City pulled them back within four points of IUK at 15-11, however the Cougars would utilize an 11-0 run soon after to hold a commanding 28-12 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the first half. IU Kokomo led Oakland City 40-19 at the break. 

Oakland City's struggles to find an answer for any of IU Kokomo's scoring options lasted the entirety of the game, as IU Kokomo cruised to a 17-point win in the second half without ever dealing with a significant Mighty Oaks run. 

Senior forward Noah Harris led IU Kokomo offensively Saturday, scoring 24points while going 9-11 at the charity stripe and pulling down eight rebounds. Max Newman earned his sixth double-double of the season, recording 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Both Chris Chin and Drake Moore turned in their best offensive performances of the season Saturday, as Moore had 12 and Chin added 11. Chin has been dealing with injury, while Moore has slowly managed to carve out a role in his first year as a Cougar. Saturday's match-up with the Mighty Oaks carried a little more weight for Moore, as he transferred to IUK from Oakland City.

Having been originally scheduled to play at Brescia this coming Tuesday evening, impending inclimate weather has forced the game to be pushed back to Wednesday at 4:30 PM ET. The Cougars will return home next Saturday for the inaugural battle with the Crimson Pride of IU Columbus at 1:00 PM.

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.