(Photo Credit: IndianaHQ)

BLOOMINGTON, IN — IU experienced a nail-biter in the first half of the game on Sunday. After an adjustment, a strong second half by the Hoosiers led to a win over the Huskies, improving to 5-0.

“I don’t think we really figured it out until the third quarter which was a little frustrating,” said head coach Teri Moren. The Huskies presented problems for the lady Hoosiers in guarding one-on-one, their motion offense, and ability to knock down open shots. Northern Illinois went into the half with a 42-41 lead.

However, in the second half, IU played more aggressively, particularly focusing on defense, and turned the game around in the third quarter. The Hoosiers had their largest lead, 23 points, in the last quarter and eventually defeated the Huskies, 91-73, to win their fifth straight to open up the season. This record continues to be the best mark since the program started 5-0 in 2014-15.

IU had five players score in double-figures in this game, led by redshirt junior Ali Patberg with 19 points. This was Patberg’s fourth game in double figures this season, and head coach Teri Moren also praised her saying she “ran the team exceptionally well.”

enter image description here

Ali Patberg (#14) contributed to 19 points, and added five assists on Sunday.

Moren also gave credit to sophomore guard Bendu Yeaney’s defense. Yeaney scored 17 points in the game and notched her first double-double of the season with 11 rebounds. This marked the third double-double of her career.

enter image description here

Bendu Yeaney’s (#1) aggressive offense and defense helps IU improve to 5-0.

IndianaHQ Shop - Indiana Tshirts, IU Hoosiers Apparel
enter image description here

Redshirt junior forward Brenna Wise added 18 points, while freshman forward Aleksa Gulbe contributed to 12 points, and sophomore guard Jaelynn Penn also added 10 points for the Hoosiers. Brenna Wise (#50) added 18 points to the Hoosiers, with 0 turnover.

enter image description here

Aleksa Gulbe (#10) is the only freshman being the double-figure scorers on Sunday.

enter image description here

Jaelynn Penn (#13) added 10 points for the Hoosiers.

IU slightly decreased the number of turnovers, 15, in this game. Although head coach Teri Moren said she was happy to see the improvement, she said, “it’s still too many” for the team. The lady Hoosiers will start a road trip this Wednesday, which Moren says will be a great test and also a good opportunity for the team to learn for the ACC/Big ten challenge.

Women’s basketball begins its road trip at Wake Forest on Wednesday for the ACC/B1G Challenge. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. And the lady Hoosiers will be back home, hosting Butler, on December 5.