INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — In the final installment of the Crossroads Classic, the Indiana Hoosiers (9-2, 1-1 B1G) faced off with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-5) at the newly remodeled and renamed Gainbridge Fieldhouse. After a slow start on both sides of the ball, the Hoosiers picked up their first win away from Assembly Hall, defeating the Irish 64-56.
Staying consistent, Mike Woodson kept the same starting five as he has all year. Xavier Johnson, Parker Stewart, Miller Kopp, Race Thompson, and Trayce Jackson-Davis took the floor first for the Cream and Crimson.
For the first 12 minutes of the game, Notre Dame was more disciplined with their shots and limited their turnovers. Indiana’s turnover problem continued early on in this game, and they finished the first half with nine, many of which were self-inflicted and resulted from carelessness with the basketball.
It was a slow start offensively for the Hoosiers all around, but more specifically for Jackson-Davis. To his credit, the preseason All-American made the necessary adjustments and finished the first half with a team-high 10 points and four rebounds.
With 7:17 left in the first half Notre Dame led the Hoosiers 24-15. That is when the Hoosiers defense came alive.
The next seven minutes were filled with six ND turnovers. Indiana made every pass difficult and forced the Irish in to three shot clock violations.The Hoosiers trailed by as many as nine points in the first half but made a big push before the break to take the lead at half.
Key three-point baskets by Stewart and senior guard Rob Phinisee got Indiana back in the game, but it was TJD who gave them the lead with 2:26 remaining the half.
Jackson-Davis was asked about his performance post-game and said, “You just have to take what the defense gives you…you can’t get too high or too low.”