At the Buzzer: Indiana 100, Kennesaw State 87

Quick thoughts on a 100-87 win against Kennesaw State:

How it happened

Indiana didn’t look short-handed at the tipoff of Friday’s non-conference finale. With Xavier Johnson still sidelined with a foot injury and Kel’el Ware out with an illness, the Hoosiers buried four 3-pointers before the first media timeout and raced to an 18-8 lead against Kennesaw State. By the under-eight media timeout of the first, Indiana had stretched the lead to 13 at 37-24. But the Hoosiers couldn’t get stops the final seven minutes of the half. Kennesaw State came roaring back on the strength of its 3-point shooting. The Owls made nine triples in the first half to close within four at 50-46 at intermission.

Simeon Cottle’s 3-pointer gave Kennesaw State its first lead at 65-64 and the Owls extended the lead to 68-64 on Terrell Burden’s 3-pointer with 13:16 to play. But Indiana scored the next five to grab a 69-68 lead at the under-12 media timeout. The Hoosiers stretched the lead to six at 74-68 on an Anthony Leal layup in transition at the 9:45 mark. Indiana’s lead was 10 at 81-71 by the under-eight media timeout. Indiana extended the lead to 14 on a Trey Galloway bucket with 6:49 remaining. Kennesaw State never got closer than 10 the rest of the way as Indiana wrapped up non-conference play with a victory, its 10th of the season.

Standout performers

Malik Reneau’s 34 points and 11 rebounds led the Hoosiers. Reneau logged 37 minutes. Other Hoosiers in double figures included Mackenzie Mgbako with 14, Kaleb Banks with 12, Payton Sparks with 10 and Anthony Walker with 10.