At the Buzzer: Indiana 74, UIndy 52

Quick thoughts on a 74-52 exhibition win against UIndy:

How it happened

It was an ugly first half of basketball for Indiana at Assembly Hall Sunday afternoon. The Hoosiers started slow and never found their footing in the first 20 minutes. Indiana shot 10-for-31 from the field (32 percent) in the first half and missed all four of its 3-point attempts. The Hoosiers also shot only 5-for-11 from the free throw line. The result was a pedestrian .7 points per possession for IU. UIndy, meanwhile, knocked in six 3-pointers (6-for-19) and went into the locker room leading 27-25. CJ Gunn led Indiana in scoring in the first half with seven points on 3-for-6 shooting.

The second half started more smoothly for Indiana as the Hoosiers scored 17 points in less than seven minutes to grab a 42-34 lead at the 13:33 mark. Indiana’s first made 3-pointer came at the 14:23 mark from Xavier Johnson. By the under-eight media timeout, Indiana’s lead was 53-38. The lead was extended to 17 on a 3-pointer by Mackenzie Mgbako with 4:15 to play, which forced UIndy to use a timeout. Indiana was never challenged down the stretch as the Hoosiers overcame a shaky first half for a comfortable exhibition victory.

Standout performers

Kel’el Ware led Indiana with 14 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots in 24 minutes. Mackenzie Mgbako also had 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds in 25 minutes. Malik Reneau was the third Hoosier in double figures with 12 points and six rebounds in 26 minutes.