The discussion around slow starts have been persistent since the beginning of the Big Ten conference play, but today that was not an issue. Not only did the Hoosiers open strong in the first half, they also opened strong in the second act as well.
Indiana started with an 8-0 run in the first half and 6-0 run in the second half.
Great start so far in Iowa.
-De'Ron Davis block -De'Ron Davis and-1 -Rob Phinisee 3 pointer -Forced Iowa shot clock violation -De'Ron Davis hook shot#iubb
The rotational bigs of Indiana truly raised Indiana’s optimism early in the game. Extending the hot start from junior De’Ron Davis who scored 5 of Indiana’s initial 8 point run, lower classmen Race Thompson and Jake Forrester played impressive minutes to maintain Indiana’s lead.
Both players came in with energy, added instant floor presence, and truly held their ground against the number 21 team in the nation on their home floor.
HALFTIME: 28-28 Indiana tied up with #21 Iowa in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hoosiers outscore Iowa 13-11 with both Juwan Morgan and De'Ron Davis sitting due to foul trouble. Evan Fitzner leads Indiana with 6 points. Three other players with 5 points for IU. #iubb#hawkeyespic.twitter.com/OAwBM4bbX6
After a long struggling streak, graduate transfer Evan Fitzner returned back to his non-conference self adding scoring from mid-range, under the basket, and behind the arc. Tonight enabled Evan to open up a bit more once he built and established confidence in his offensive game. More critically, he added rebounds at crucial points in the game.
Fitzner would finish the game with 11 points.
Race Thompson checks in with 12:48 in the first half. Indiana up 13-8. #iubb
Freshman point guard Robert Phinisee piled onto the fun as well. He broke out of his conference hold to play more like his big time performances earlier in the season. The freshman finished incredible layups at the rim when outnumbered and held down junior guard Jordan Bohannon for the majority of the first half. Phinisee closed the game with 13 points and 7 rebounds.
But the story of the night has to be Iowa’s Jordan Bohannon. After blanking on points in the first half half, the junior guard played out of his mind in the second half.
Bohannon hit 5 of 6 behind the arc, dagger after dagger. Whenever anything good happened for Indiana that was quickly negated by Jordan. The junior for the Hawkeyes played unconsciously and truly put Iowa on his back to carry them to their 21st win of the season.
Tough, tough loss for Archie Miller’s ball club.
Box Score
Post Game Reactions
See the reactions from De’Ron Davis, Rob Phinisee, and Archie Miller
Next Up
Indiana has another opportunity to face a top 25 team as the visiting Wisconsin Badgers will come to Bloomington on Tuesday evening for the late tip. The Badgers, currently ranked 22nd in the AP ballot, are led by Big Ten player of the year contender Ethan Happ who is the team leader in points, rebounds, and assists. Catch the 9:00 pm game on ESPN/ESPN2.
