After a Bahamas journey riddled with poor play, Indiana wanted a rejuvenating efficiency upon its return to Simon Skjodt Meeting Corridor.
The main target was on the little issues to beat the difficulties of Thanksgiving week in Battle 4 Atlantis. The Hoosiers suffered two eye-opening losses to Louisville and Gonzaga in that occasion.
After beating Windfall earlier than departing Paradise Island, Indiana was sharp Tuesday night time and simply defeated Sam Houston State 97-71.
Indiana shot higher than 62 p.c within the win and almost 47 p.c on 3s.
A spark from Luke Goode within the first half gave the remainder of the staff offensive juice that carried over into each halves for each the starters and the bench. The primary-year Hoosier scored 13 factors within the first twenty minutes and ended the sport with 18 factors, capturing 5-7 from three. The factors and 3-pointers made had been profession highs for Goode.
Goode wasn’t the one one on the ground sparking manufacturing.
Indiana’s bench gave the staff an offensive punch, ending with 36 factors. Fifth-year senior Anthony Leal embraced his time on the ground, having solely performed 5 minutes this season getting into the sport. The Bloomington South product added robust protection and management. The Hoosiers had been +39 with Leal on the ground within the victory.
“Simply the power they gave early coming off the bench,” Mike Woodson mentioned postgame of the bench. “I imply, they had been into it and did numerous good issues, particularly on the defensive finish to get us a pleasant little cushion going into halftime. I assumed they’d so much to do with it.”
From the beginning, Indiana additionally made its defensive presence identified. The Hoosiers offered moments of sound protection within the first half, which made the Bearkats’ capturing half troublesome. For a prolonged seven-minute stretch that began on the 13-minute mark, Indiana buried the Bearkats with a 25-3 run. Sam Houston State shot 25.8 p.c within the first half.
The Hoosiers additionally improved their rebounding, a lingering drawback getting into the sport. The Hoosiers, a a lot taller and extra bodily staff than Sam Houston, thrived on the glass all through the 40 minutes. Indiana out-rebounded the Bearkats 37-25 on the glass and solely allowed three offensive rebounds.
Indiana additionally did higher at taking good care of the ball in Tuesday’s win. The Hoosiers have struggled to maintain the ball continuously and it appeared like that will be the case once more towards Sam Houston. Indiana had 9 miscues within the first half however cleaned it up and dedicated simply three within the second half.
On Tuesday night time, Indiana had all of the shifting items to comfortably report their sixth win of the season. The Hoosiers’ exhibiting was strong, as struggles from earlier video games had been cleaned up within the matchup towards the Bearkats.
“I assumed it was a complete staff effort on everyone’s half,” Woodson mentioned. “Helps when your bench come off and play the best way they did. Goode was incredible tonight, however everyone off the bench performed nicely.”
It was encouraging for the Hoosiers to win a sport definitively after getting back from the Bahamas. Indiana’s efficiency was well-rounded, but it surely’s about stacking these video games for those down the street, deeper within the season.
The win doesn’t erase all of Indiana’s issues, but it surely was step towards turning the web page after a disappointing journey to the Bahamas.
“On the finish of the day, it comes right down to who performs the toughest,” Goode mentioned. “I feel we simply didn’t play the toughest. It’s one thing we fastened through the week. I feel we got here out as we speak and performed so much tougher on protection. Tweaked a pair issues. Coach Woodson clearly noticed one thing that wanted to vary, and we modified that as we speak. I feel it’s persevering with to return in daily and be the toughest taking part in staff.”
Filed to: Luke Goode, Sam Houston State Bearkats
