Hoosiers win in final non-conference game
By CALEB LYNN
ISL Contributor
(Photo by IDS)
BLOOMINGTON — Indiana University came up with the win on Friday night at home by a score of 79-51 over Youngstown State. This win could boost their confidence as they head into the remainder of the Big Ten season.
The Hoosiers came out sloppy in the first half, shooting under 40 percent and turning he ball over ten times. That changed pretty quickly in the second half. Indiana in the second half shot 62 percent and turned the ball over just five times. As a team, they had 15 assists to five turnovers in the second half.
“We came out sluggish in the first half,” said junior forward Juwan Morgan. “But then we were putting it together and playing for each other.”
Throughout the game, IU played lock-down defense on Youngstown State. The Hoosiers didn’t allow YSU to make a single 3-point shot in the first half and held them to 8 % for the game.
Guarding the 3-point line has been a struggle for Indiana this season and IU’s Zach McRoberts led the charge of stopping the three.
“That was big for us,” McRoberts said. “I think ball pressure has been a big thing. Just continuing to have hands up, and hopefully make them miss shots.”
Junior Juwan Morgan has been a consistent threat for IU and showed that he is the number one offensive option for this team. He had 16 points and six rebounds for the Hoosiers in this game.
McRoberts contributed seven points, eight rebounds, and two steals- making some key plays to help the Hoosiers come out victorious. The Hoosiers hope McRoberts will continue stuffing the stat-sheet once the conference season kicks into full gear. k
Morgan had plenty to say when talking about his teammate and his impact when he is on the floor.
“We always say Zach is the person you hate to have going against him, but love to have on your team, and he showed why tonight—all the hustle plays, all the things people don’t like to do is what Zach does.”
In the press conference, Coach Miller remarked on how McRoberts wears the Indiana Jersey with pride and he wants more players to know what and who they are playing for.
In the last non-conference match-up for the Hoosiers, Coach Miller got a look at what he can do to improve for the Big Ten.
“It’s going to be a heck of a conference race,” Miller said. “And I feel as the conference season goes, there’s going to be plenty of opportunities for resume building wins.”
Indiana will continue their Big Ten season as they play the University of Wisconsin on Tuesday Night at Wisconsin.
