For the first time in Darian Devries’ very brief tenure as Indiana head coach, his team was put to the test for forty minutes today. The Hoosiers passed the test, however, surviving a scare to beat Incarnate Word 69-61 to improve to 4-0 on the season.
The signs of the offensive struggle to come were there early for Indiana. After an easy lob to Reed Bailey for the game’s first points, it took Indiana more than two minutes to score again, when Tayton Conerway cut in for a layup that brought Indiana within two at 6-4.
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The problem wasn’t just that Indiana’s shots weren’t falling. Early on, the Cardinals dominated the offensive glass for extra looks that kept Indiana from possessing the ball. Twice in the first half alone, Incarnate Word had possessions with multiple offensive rebounds.
The additions of Sam Alexis and Trent Sisley helped Indiana regain control, at least for the middle portion of the game. The two combined for 20 of Indiana’s 35 points in the first half, bringing the physicality and interior scoring that the team lacked today.
With this formula, Indiana was able to take a nearly 20-point lead in the first half, leading 48-29 with 12:47 left. Then the offensive struggles resurfaced, as the Cardinals refused to miss.
With less than two to play, Indiana led by just five points. After a few missed free throws from Tucker DeVries, one of the most reliable shots on the roster, it looked like things were going to go south for Indiana.
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Then the Hoosiers came up with a big defensive rebound, got a couple free throws from Lamar Wilkerson and Sam Alexis, and Indiana avoided the upset.
At the final whistle, Alexis led Indiana with 16 points, followed by 14 from DeVries and 10 from Sisley.
