There have been numerous instances in the previous few seasons when Indiana has crumbled in strain conditions. Both unable to shut out video games or give a worthy punch to get again within the contest, street wins have been troublesome to realize for the Hoosiers. An analogous scenario may have unfolded within the second half of Sunday’s recreation towards Penn State. Nevertheless it didn’t.
The Hoosiers fought to remain collectively, and as an alternative of collapsing in The Palestra, Indiana obtained a key 77-71 street convention win towards Penn State in entrance of 6,126 followers.
After IU constructed its largest lead of the sport – 16 factors with 10:20 remaining – Penn State clawed again and had possession with an opportunity to take the lead with 1:32 to play. That is the second when it may’ve gone south for the Hoosiers.
Following a 10-second violation turnover by Myles Rice, Penn State’s Zach Hicks missed a 3-pointer with 1:11 left. The ball went out of bounds, giving possession to IU.
On the following possession, Nittany Lions guard Nick Kern Jr. fouled Mackenzie Mgbako with two seconds left on the shot clock. Mgbako stepped to the road, made each free throws and pushed the IU result in two possessions at 75-71.
Following one other missed 3-pointer by Hicks inside 30 seconds left, Rice grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and made each free throws to place the sport out of attain.
“When issues obtained tight, they didn’t go the opposite method,” Mike Woodson stated postgame. “We made our free throws. You understand, I ran out of timeouts, so it was essential that we have been capable of get the ball in bounds, not get trapped, get the ball up the ground, and end the sport.”
Indiana’s win was guided by the little issues it did proper — like caring for the ball and making free throws down the stretch, alongside nice particular person efforts in every half.
The Hoosiers have been with out their main scorer, Malik Reneau after the junior ahead injured his knee within the opening minutes of Thursday’s win towards Rutgers. That left the crew with one huge man on the ground, Oumar Ballo, who took cost and lifted Indiana to a win on Thursday and once more on Sunday.
Ballo’s effort and presence have been felt all through the sport, as he completed with 25 factors and 13 rebounds whereas being the offense’s focus. The Mali native additionally performed by way of foul hassle after he picked up his fourth foul with 7:25 to play.
“He was big for us,” Mike Woodson stated. “We featured him and he responded huge time. He made some photographs excessive of the large seven-footer that that they had.”
Mgbako did the identical for Indiana within the second half, because it was all ignited by a solo 8-0 run within the first 56 seconds. He continued to point out off his knockdown capturing skill when Indiana wanted it most. Mgbako scored 15 of his 20 factors within the second half.
Indiana’s 3-point capturing, boosted by Mgbako, was efficient for the second recreation in a row. There wasn’t a lot manufacturing from the surface within the first half, with simply 2-11 capturing from deep, however within the second half, Indiana completed 7-for-12 with a handful of makes that swung the momentum in Indiana’s route.
“I assumed the beginning of the second half, it was all Mack who opened the door for us,” Woodson stated. “We couldn’t make threes. We had attractiveness within the first half, however he began the run. (Luke) Goode made some, and Gallo made one, so I imply, it was becoming that we obtained again to creating some threes as a result of we would have liked that tonight.”
Along with the person efforts of Ballo and Mgbako, 3-point capturing, hustle on the offensive glass, steady vitality for many of the recreation and the regular play of Myles Rice at level guard all contributed to IU’s first street win of the season.
A season isn’t made in a single recreation; loads of basketball stays, however Indiana gained momentum from the Rutgers win and carried it into the win towards Penn State.
“If you get an opportunity to win on the street within the Huge Ten, that’s huge time as a result of it’s not straightforward profitable on the street,” Woodson stated. “You gotta work out your own home stands while you play, you may’t let video games slip away there, and also you gotta compete like hell while you get out on the street as a result of groups play properly at residence. They simply do on this league.” Woodson stated.
Sunday’s win was one other glimpse of what Indiana may be when it’s related on each ends. At 12-3 total and 3-1 in Huge Ten play, the Hoosiers have received 4 straight and head residence with an opportunity to proceed their profitable methods towards USC on Wednesday.
(Picture credit score: IU Athletics)
Filed to: Penn State Nittany Lions
