Governors State men’s basketball team battled to the final seconds but narrowly lost to IU Kokomo 78-76 in a hard-fought game. GovState’s resilience was on full display as they matched IU Kokomo point-for-point in the second half after trailing by seven at halftime. Despite their strong push, they came up just short in the final moments.
Vincent Davis led the way with an impressive double-double, scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, showcasing his ability to control the paint and finish strong. Isaiah Tolbert added 14 points, including two three-pointers, while also dishing out 4 assists and adding a steal. Javon Johnson contributed 11 points, hitting two shots from beyond the arc and showing composure at the free-throw line, going 3-4.
Governors State’s bench played a pivotal role, with Oluyemi Elutilo contributing 5 points and 3 rebounds, while George Ioannidis added 2 points in a brief but efficient 3 minutes. The Jaguars’ defense was active, pulling down a total of 42 rebounds and adding 4 steals to create opportunities on offense. Kevin Vance and Vincent Mayes led the rebounding effort, combining for 12 boards, while Mayes chipped in with 8 points.
Governors State made a strong push in the final stretch, outscoring IU Kokomo 38-33 in the second half, but ultimately fell short by just two points. The team’s free-throw shooting (72.4%) kept them competitive. With a record of 1-2, Governors State will look to build on this experience as they head into their next game on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. against Saint Francis (IN).