Gordon shines again in All-Star Game

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana All-Star Eric Gordon made quite an impression on Kentucky All-Star coach Ron Bevars.\nGordon, the 2007 Indiana Mr. Basketball, had a game-high 20 points to lead the Indiana All-Stars to a 104-87 victory over the Kentucky All-Stars in Saturday’s annual matchup of the states’ top high school seniors.\nIn last week’s opening game of the home-and-home series, Gordon scored 32 as Indiana beat Kentucky 97-79 in Bowling Green, Ky.\n“In the state of Indiana, he’s Michael Jordan,” Bevars said following Saturday’s game at Conseco Fieldhouse. “He might be making a living (in professional basketball) if it wasn’t for the fact he has to go to college.”\nGordon’s effort helped Indiana win its seventh consecutive game against Kentucky and improve its all-time series lead to 79-41.\n“It’s a big thing for Indiana and it takes a lot of pride,” said Gordon, who will play for IU next season. “I know I take a lot of pride in it.”\nScott Martin was named the Most Valuable Player after finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds for Indiana, which turned an eight-point deficit into a commanding 47-31 halftime lead.\n“Some baskets went down and we got on a roll,” said Martin, who’s headed to Purdue. “We started knocking down shots and that’s what helped us.”\nAustin Hill had 19 points, Steffphon Pettigrew scored 14 and Matt Walls chipped in 13 for Kentucky, which shot 38 percent from the field and committed 18 turnovers.\n“I think we got beat by a better basketball team,” Bevars said. “It would have been a whole lot of fun to watch the Indiana team play if I hadn’t been coaching on the side.”\nAfter falling behind early in the first half, Indiana tied the score at 19 on Ben Botts’ 3-pointer, and minutes later, Gordon’s triple gave Indiana a 32-21 advantage with 6 minutes left.\nIndiana extended its lead to 75-48 following Nate Blank’s 3-pointer with 11:37 remaining in the second half.\n“This wasn’t the prettiest win, but we fought back hard to gain control,” Indiana coach Mike Miller said. “This is a group of very talented guys and they know how to play hard against a physical team like Kentucky.”\nIndiana got a balanced scoring attack with five players finishing in double figures. Matt Howard had 12 points, Botts 11 and Blank 10.\n“It’s good because it’s easier for everybody to contribute,” Gordon said. “It wasn’t just one guy trying to take over.”