Indiana University women win regular B1G title with 83-60 win against Purdue

by Skip Daley

South Central Indiana News Network

Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall was jam packed on Sunday for the Indiana University Women’s Basketball final home game of the regular season and Senior Day. Indiana (26-1 / 16-1) would pull out the 83-60 win over arch rival Purdue (17-8 / 8-7) in front of this record-breaking crowd, and with it, claim at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title.

Before the game started, Bedford native Clayton Anderson, a professional recording musician out of Nashville, Tennessee, performed his hit song, ‘Indiana’. Anderson got the record crowd of 17,222 to their feet, having Hoosier Nation chant, “Ho-Ho-Ho-Hoosiers,” repeatedly.

As that pop-up concert concluded, graduating players Alyssa Geary and Grace Berger were honored for their contributions to the program. Geary, a transfer this season from Providence College, has scored 895 points throughout her 137-game collegiate career. Berger, an AP All-American, has more than 1700 points, 700 rebounds, and 500 assists throughout her 143-game collegiate career.

With much anticipation, the tip-off occurred.

Indiana shot 50% in the first quarter for 20 total points. IU was successful in spreading the offense, finding Senior Forward Mackenzie Holmes in the paint for 6. Junior Guard Chloe Moore-McNeil and Senior Guard Sara Scalia each hit an opening period triple, while Freshman Guard Yarden Garzon sank 2 from beyond the arc. But Purdue was there with them back and forth, finishing the quarter with 15 points, themselves.

Indiana increased their lead in the 2^nd Quarter, but the Boilermakers did not want to go away, as Purdue’s Shooting Guard Lasha Petree unloaded for 17 first half points, including going 4-6 from three-point land. At the midway point, it was 37-34, Indiana maintaining a slight lead. The Hoosiers shot 48% for the half and the Boilermakers hit 50%. Both teams pulled down 14 rebounds throughout 20 minutes of play.

In a recurring theme for the Hoosiers this season, they dismantled Purdue in the 3rd quarter. Moore-McNeil blazed the trail with 2 triples and 8 total points. IU outscored Purdue 27-12 in the period to take a 64-46 lead at the end of 3 quarters of play.

The final 10 minutes of the game was more of the same, with the Hoosiers moving the ball with ease, playing good enough defense, and hitting big shots. Purdue never stopped playing their game, despite the increasing deficit. But Indiana increased their winning streak to 14 games, a new program record.

All five Indiana starters ended with double-digit scoring. Holmes had 20 with 7 boards, Berger and Moore-McNeil each scored 14 and Berger added 10 assists for a double-double, Sydney Parrish had 13 and 10 rebounds for a double-double, and Garzon had 12 points and 6 boards. Collectively, the Hoosiers shot 53% from the floor and 40% from 3-point land.

“This is a mature group, they don’t push the panic button when games get tight,” said Indiana Head Coach Teri Moren.

This team never appears to get panicked. They always seem to deliver and play consistent basketball, rising to the occasion of the moment. Today, they achieved another milestone through their talent, patience, and discipline.

After the match-up, Indiana was presented shirts, hats, and a trophy for winning (at least a share of) this year’s Big Ten Title. Should Indiana beat Iowa next week, they will be sole Regular Season Champs. If the Hawkeyes can pull it out at home against the Hoosiers, the two will split the title.

The season finale will be played in Carver Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa on Sunday, February 26^th at 2pm. The game will be featured on ESPN.