BLOOMINGTON, IN — Five lady Hoosiers each in double figures in IU’s win over Missouri State, led by sophomore guard Jaelynn Penn’s 20 points, despite dealing with an ankle issue. With the win, IU women’s team improves to 9-0 on the season, and extends their winning streak to 15, the nation’s longest.
Willing to share the ball is the team’s advantage recognized by both the players and the coach. “We get scores, but we’re willing to pass the ball. And I think it’s really hard to defend if everybody can score,” said redshirt junior guard Ali Patberg, who contributed 16 points and 13 assists. Head coach Teri Moren also said, “they’re all about each other, and they don’t care who gets credit.”
(#13) Jaelynn Penn (20 TP, 1 AS, 1 ST)
(#50) Brenna Wise (18 TP, 2 ST, 1 AS)
(#14) Ali Patberg (16 TP, 13 AS, 3 ST)
(#1) Bendu Yeaney (15 TP, 2 ST, 1 AS)
(#11) Kym Royster (10 TP)
Although Teri Moren was pleased with the win, she said she was disappointed with the defensive end, especially in transition. “I give Missouri State credit. They hit some outside shots today and they got hot there.”
Head coach Teri Moren (right)
Despite having the nation’s longest winning streak, the lady Hoosiers remain humble and recognize their performance can get much better, especially after the Butler game. “Big Ten season is not far away. And they realize that the performance they had against Butler wouldn’t beat Michigan State, Iowa, and lots of Big Ten teams. They know that, and this is another special thing about this group,” Moren said.
(#34) Grace Berger (8 TP, 2 AS, 1 ST)
(#12) Linsey Marchese’s reverse lay up won a burst of applause.
IU’s women’s basketball team will have a three-game series in Puerto Rico from Dec. 19 to Dec. 21. Coach Teri Moren reminds the lady Hoosiers to treat Puerto Rico games as a Big Ten series. “It’s pretty like the big ten tournament. If you win the first game, you’re goanna play the next game the next day.” Moren added that three teams IU is going to confront, Loyola Marymount, Grambling State, and South Dakota, are all good teams, and it will not be an easy tournament for the Hoosiers. But it’s also an opportunity to learn how to win on the road.
Freshman forward Aleksa Gulbe, who suffered an ankle sprain during practice last week, might be able to join the Puerto Rico games. IU has a timely break of nine days before the team starts the tournament. “It’s an opportunity for us to really rest Jaelynn Penn, Bendu, and Ali Patberg,” Moren said.
(#10) Aleksa Gulbe suffers an ankle sprain. Although staying at bench, she cheered for her teammates’ performance.