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