The Hoosiers outlast the No. 5 South Carolina Gamecocks in one of the biggest wins in program history. Indiana takes the 71-57 victory in their opening game of the 2019 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam and move on to 6-0 on the season. Indiana’s last victory against a top five opponent came in January of 2010, when the Hoosiers defeated the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes in Bloomington.
Out of the gate, Teri Moren’s group had no problem getting comfortable despite the stakes of the game. Indiana took an early lead and held on for most of the first half behind the great play of redshirt junior guard Ali Patberg who had ten points and four assists by halftime and senior forward Brenna Wise who was a perfect three-for-three from behind the arc.
Indiana took a 7-point lead going into the interim.
The Gamecocks did respond in the third quarter. Indiana’s margin quickly evaporated as the Hoosiers began to lose some of their offensive momentum. At one point during the quarter, Indiana missed three consecutive layups right around the rim. Perhaps it was the due to the talent of the South Carolina team, but the defense also got uncharacteristically sloppy. Instead of forcing long possessions, the Hoosiers, who seemed a bit tired, resorted to fouling.
Thankfully due to the quarters system, the bonus reset for the Hoosiers and the script flipped in the final segment. Indiana’s depth allowed them to outlast the Gamecocks who lost two of their most critical players due to foul trouble. Seniors Tyasha Harris and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan both were taken out of the game after accumulating their fifth whistle. Indiana sealed the game with a 25-6 run with Patberg and Wise leading all scorers at 16 points a piece.
