The Hoosiers were desperate for a big win and what better opportunity than the defend homecourt against the No. 13 team in the country. IU did just that as they welcomed the Ohio State Buckeyes to Assembly Hall and handed them a 67-51 defeat as IU picked up their first victory of the new year.
Despite a disappointing performance against the Nittany Lions in their previous game and the rerun of a key player, head coach Mike Woodson returned the same starting five to begin their contest against the No. 13 Ohio State Buckeyes. Xavier Johnson, Parker Stewart, Miller Kopp, Race Thompson, and Trayce Jackson-Davis started things for the Hoosiers.
As a team the Cream and Crimson started out particularly slow on offense. IU missed their first three shot attempts, but Jackson-Davis made the first field goal with just under 17 minutes to go and gave IU the early lead, 5-4.
At the under-15 media timeout, the Hoosiers trailed 8-7. Despite doing a great job of attacking the rim, Indiana failed to put the ball in the basket early as they started just 2-for-8 from the field.
Former Hoosier Joey Brunk converted his first basket in nearly two years at Assembly Hall. The bad thing? It was for the wrong team. Brunk finished the half with six points and gave the Buckeyes a much-needed boost offensively in the first half.
Brunk was not the only player making his return to Assembly Hall.
Sophomore Trey Galloway made his long-awaited return to Assembly Hall after having surgery on his wrist that kept him sidelined for nearly two months and gave the Hoosiers immediate positive impact.
Indiana battled back into the game on the defensive end while also finding success at the charity stripe. IU forced five first half turnovers that led to easy transition baskets and sets. Indiana shot 8-for-9 in the first half from the foul line,
Indiana went on a 7-0 run over a near two-minute span to tie things back up at 16 with 8:57 remaining in the first half. Sophomore Jordan Geronimo nailed a wing three to tie things up, but it was a Jackson-Davis slam dunk that gave Indiana the lead and sent Assembly Hall into a roar.
“I expect him to play like that,” Mike Woodson said. “[Tonight] is who he has to be.”
At the break IU led 34-30 over than top 15 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.
Jackson-Davis led the way for Indiana with 16 first half points and five rebounds. Galloway led the team in assists at halftime with two.
The second half started much like the first half. Slow. Ohio State started the second period of a 6-2 run to give the No. 13 Buckeyes all the momentum.
Then the defense flipped a switch.
Shortly after OSU’s mini-run Indiana began to force turnover after turnover. For the game the Hoosiers forced 15 turnovers while only committing nine themselves. A Parker Stewart three stretched the Hoosiers lead back to four as they led 40-36 with 15:04 remaining in the game.
After Stewarts made three both teams went on to miss six of their seven shots. Indiana missed open looks, Ohio State was forced into bad shots and turnovers late in the shot clock. Yes, both teams were one for their last seven shots, but it was different.
At the under-8 media timeout, the Hoosiers led 51-46. Active hands on defense helped Indiana grab their largest lead of the night. A steal that led to a TJD and-one layup got Assembly Hall back on their feet for what seemed like the rest of the game.
The headline of the ballgame will go to TJD, and it is well warranted, but the difference maker in this game was Trey Galloway , who may just be the difference maker for the whole season as IU jumps into the rest of conference play.
Coach Woodson was asked about Galloway’s play and said, “He played 18, 19 minutes…it’s like he played 40 minutes with they way he played…he made a lot of great plays on both ends of the floor.”
Indiana went on a 13-3 over a five-minute stretch that all but put the game to rest. Indiana led 59-48 with 4:09 remaining and would hold on to that double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.
Indiana went on to run No. 13 Ohio State off the floor as they picked up their second B1G win in dominating fashion, 67-51. Jackson-Davis led the Hoosiers with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks.
What’s Nex
Up next for the Hoosiers is another home conference contest. This time, against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The contest is scheduled for this Sun. at noon EST.
Photo by Indiana Athletics
