Times Staff Report

It is marked as an exhibition game on IU Northwest's schedule, but it will likely become a game to be remembered in school history.

When Mike Rose missed a desperation shot at the buzzer, IUN defeated Division I Eastern Kentucky 74-73 on Monday night at McBrayer Arena in Richmond, Ky.

"This is the biggest upset in basketball this year, maybe in the last decade," IUN coach Pete Trgovich said. "You couldn't believe how good it made these kids feel. They were celebrating like they won the national title. I'm going to tell you this, this is how I sincerely feel: I thought in 2007 that winning the state championship (with E.C. Central) was my greatest feeling as a coach. This has surpassed that a number of times over."

Pete Trgovich III (Munster) led IUN and all scorers with 15 points in the first half as he scored 15 of the RedHawks (6-9) first 17 points. He was contained in the second half, giving Joe Ramey time to take over. Ramey led all scorers with 25 points, Jesse Howell added 18 and Pete Trgovich III finished with 17.

Rose led Eastern Kentucky (7-5) with 21 points.

"These kids are so happy," coach Trgovich said. "A lot of them thought they could play at this level. This made their careers."