Indianapolis, IN– In one of the most competitive games for Indiana the entire year, the Hoosiers knocked off the Ohio State Buckeyes and punched their ticket to the Big Ten Championship game for the first time since 2002.
The Hoosiers defeated the top-seeded Buckeyes in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal 70-62.
In the third game in three days, the Hoosiers certainly did not show fatigue at the start of the game. Earlier in the season, the Hoosiers went through a lot of adversity including junior Mackenzie Holmes having knee surgery. They haven’t looked like the team many expected them to be coming into the year, but today on both ends of the floor they showed how they made it to the Elite Eight last year.
“I think we're playing- we just look more connected,” IU head coach Teri Moren said. “We look more comfortable. And I'll tell you what, I love this team. I've always said that. I love what they're about. I love how competitive they are.”
Even with the Hoosiers controlling most of the game, they were without one of their key pieces for most of the game as they announced that senior forward Aleksa Gulbe could not start because of a non-covid-related illness. In place of Gulbe’s absence in the starting lineup, sophomore Chloe Moore-McNeil got the start. Even without Gulbe, the Hoosiers started off the game with great ball pressure making it hard for the Buckeyes to get a lot of good looks. Along with the defensive effort to start the game, the Hoosiers had everything clicking on the offensive end as they scored 21 points in the 1st quarter.
“I think what makes our team so good is the chemistry and just us actually want to go see each other do well,” Nicole Cardaño-Hillary said.
In the second quarter, the Ohio State offense got better shots, but they were not able to connect. The Buckeyes were 0-7 from the three-point range in the 2nd quarter. However, there were positive signs for the Buckeyes as junior guard Jacy Sheldon, who came in averaging 19.4 points per game on the year, had 13 points through two quarters. Indiana countered by going 4-6 from behind the arc in the first half including three 3’s from senior Ali Patberg.
“I just want to win, so I do whatever, whatever it takes, whatever we need,” Patberg said. “I'm focused on winning, and I'm competitive and, just like all my teammates, just like my coaches. That's what we're about.”
Ohio State made a push in the 3rd quarter to trim the deficit to as low as five points led by Buckeyes guard Taylor Mikesell 7 third quarter points. To combat the Buckeyes’ efficiency, the Hoosiers used great ball movement to create quality looks on offense.
“Proud of the fact that we shared the sugar with 20 assists on 24 field goals and most importantly that we out-rebounded them,” Moren said. “Statistics show when we out-rebound teams, we win.”
Indiana will face Iowa Sunday at 4 PM ET in the Big Ten Tournament Championship game. The Hoosiers lost both regular-season meetings vs. the Hawkeyes. Indiana is looking to win their first Big Ten Tournament Championship since 2002. The game can be heard on WIUX 99.1 FM and online HERE with Derek Decker and Zion Brown on the call from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
PHOTO COURTESY OF IU ATHLETICS
