INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State sophomore guard Ryan Conwell has had Dec. 16 circled on his calendar for months.

The date he was returning to his hometown to finally play in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Conwell, an Indianapolis native, never got the chance in four years at Pike. The Marion County Player of the Year would have had the chance as an Indiana All-Star, but in 2022 the game was moved to Southport as Gainbridge Fieldhouse was undergoing renovations.

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Conwell started 21 times as a freshman for South Florida last season before hitting the transfer portal and returning home to Indiana.

“We’re lucky to have him,” ISU coach Josh Schertz said. “I didn’t get him in the first go-round, but the second time's the charm.”

On Saturday, years overdue for his debut in this arena, he led the Sycamores to an 83-72 win over Ball State in the first game of Saturday's Indy Classic.

“It’s definitely a blessing,” Conwell said. “I was looking forward to this game ever since we put it on the schedule. Just being able to play in my home city, in front of a lot of people that I know is definitely a blessing, and I’m glad we got the win.”

In front of countless friends and family, Conwell finished the game with a career-high 27 points and 10 made field goals — all of which came in the second half.

Conwell was 0-for-5 from the floor in the first half, but Schertz wasn’t worried.

“We have an incredible amount of faith in him,” Schertz said. “He’s 0-for-5 in the first half, and we felt like all of those were going in in the second half, and a bunch did.”

This hometown game also came as a comfort, as he and his family are grieving the death of a loved one last month. Conwell missed one game against Southern Illinois on Nov. 28 for the family emergency before returning to the team.

“Ryan is an unbelievable kid who has an amazing family here,” Schertz said. “His parents are incredible, and he obviously had a huge crew here to watch him play. And that family is going through a really difficult time, and Ryan’s just handled it with so much class and courage, and the whole family has.

"To see him come out in his hometown and perform on the big stage, not surprised at all.”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana State basketball: Ryan Conwell scores 27 in win vs. Ball State