WILMORE, Ky. – The Asbury University men's basketball team put forth a great effort against No. 10 IU Kokomo on Tuesday evening, but fell short, 87-77.

Asbury falls to 5-6 on the season and begins River States Conference play 0-1.

Senior Desmond Duke played a fantastic opening half of basketball, leading all scorers with 20 points after the first frame to give AU a 33-32 edge at halftime.

The second half saw three ties and eight lead changes in the first nine minutes of the half. The final 20 minutes were physical on both ends of the floor, with the Cougars holding on to a 55-52 lead with 10 minutes to go.

Asbury reduced a double-digit lead down to just 71-66 with 4:31 to play. The Eagles continued to chip away at the lead and made it a 74-73 game after a big shot in the paint from Siah Holifiled.

However, IU Kokomo would go on a 9-0 run to hold off the Eagles' rally attempt.

AU shot 43 percent from the field and 8-21 from three-point territory.

Duke finished Tuesday's game with a career-high 28 points on 12-22 shooting from the floor.

Leander Ridgeway finished with 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Holifield added 12 points on 6-13 shooting, while Eric Powell and Nick Martin both scored six points each.

AU will return to action next Tuesday at the Luce Center against Brescia at 7:30 PM.