At the Buzzer: Rutgers 66, Indiana 57
Quick thoughts on a 66-57 loss at Rutgers:
How it happened
Indiana trailed 7-2 early at Jersey Mike’s Arena but quickly took the lead at 9-7 on a Kel’el Ware dunk. The Hoosiers extended the lead to 16-9 at the 11:02 mark on a Ware layup, but the offense stalled as Indiana went deep into its bench. For two different stretches, Mike Woodson had four subs in the game simultaneously with either Kel’el Ware or Xavier Johnson. But by the time Woodson went back to his starters, the momentum had already flipped. Indiana scored seven points over the final nine minutes of the half and went into the locker room trailing 30-27. The Hoosiers turned it over 11 times in the opening 20 minutes, leading to 12 points for the Scarlet Knights.
The offensive struggles continued to begin the second half as the Hoosiers managed just three points by the first media timeout and trailed 36-30 at the 14:51 mark. With Indiana trailing 39-35, Xavier Johnson was whistled for a flagrant two foul with 13:10 to play for a shot below the belt on Rutgers big man Antwone Woolfolk. The Hoosiers got within one at 39-38 on a Malik Reneau bucket with 11:41 to go. But Rutgers scored the next six points to make it 45-38, forcing Mike Woodson to take a timeout. The Rutgers run stretched to 12-0 on a dunk by Mawot Mag with 6:32 to play, putting the game away as the Hoosiers got no closer than six down the stretch. The loss, Indiana’s second in Big Ten play, dropped the Hoosiers to 11-5.
Standout performer
Ware recorded a double-double with 13 points and 17 rebounds in 36 minutes. The sophomore big man also had three blocked shots.
Statistics that stand out
Indiana shot 4-for-15 from the free throw line, turned it over 18 times, allowed 19 offensive rebounds and airballed three 3-pointers in the second half. Rutgers won the points off turnovers battle 18-9 and outscored Indiana 12-1 on second-chance points.
Final IU individual statistics
Final tempo-free statistics
Assembly Call postgame show
(Photo credit: IU Athletics)
Filed to: Rutgers Scarlet Knights