Written by: TJ Inman
The Indiana Hoosiers improved to 4-0 with a subpar 69-61 victory over the Incarnate Word Cardinals (2-2) on Sunday evening in Assembly Hall. After lighting up the scoreboard in the first three games of the campaign, IU struggled to find rhythm on offense and was only 5-24 from three.
That pales in comparison to the 14 they made in each of the past two games so the Hoosiers were forced to rely on a different way of winning and found it on the other end of the floor, limiting Incarnate Word to just 38.3% from the field and only 23 made field goals in the game. That included a stretch to close the first half where IU limited Incarnate Word to only seven points in the final 11 minutes and went from down 12-11 to ahead 35-19.
The Hoosiers were in firm control at 48-29 when Tucker DeVries left the game with a slight limp and the Cardinals got hot from the perimeter and cut the lead to only six points at 54-48. Indiana’s struggles shooting the ball extended to the free throw line but Tayton Conerway made one of two and then connected with Sam Alexis on an alley-oop to make it 57-48.
Incarnate Word refused to go away quietly, making tough jumpers to cut the lead to five points with just 1:21 remaining. Tucker DeVries shockingly missed a pair of free throws with one minute remaining but IU got a stop and Lamar Wilkerson made both of his attempts from the charity stripe, Sam Alexis made one of two and then Wilkerson finished it off with a defensive rebound as the Hoosiers held on.
This game certainly represented the worst shooting display and most adversity that Darian DeVries’ team has faced in this young season. Indiana was only 43.4 percent from the field, 18-26 from the line and had 10 turnovers. Sam Alexis led the Hoosiers with 16 points while Tucker DeVries and Trent Sisley joined him in double-figures with 14 and ten, respectively.
On the plus side, IU continued to share the ball well with 18 assists on 23 made baskets and they outrebounded the Cardinals 42-29. There is plenty for Darian DeVries and his staff to work on over the next few days before the Hoosiers take the court again on Thursday night against Lindenwood.
Other Notes (Provided by IU)
- The Indiana Men’s Basketball team (4-0, 0-0 B1G) won its fourth-straight game to start the season with a 69-61 victory over Incarnate Word.
- Seven different Hoosiers scored in the win on Sunday. Six of those players offered up at least seven points. IU has had at least three double-digit scorers in all four wins this year.
- The Hoosiers outrebounded the Cardinals 42-29. Of IU’s 42 rebounds, 12 came on the offensive glass. The home team also held the advantage in assists at 18-10.
- Redshirt senior forward Tucker DeVries scored 14 points in the win. He provided five
rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes of action. - He has scored in double figures in all four games this season. He’s hit multiple 3-point baskets in nine-straight games – dating back to the 2024-25 campaign at West Virginia.
- Senior forward Sam Alexis led the team with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor. He added eight rebounds, finishing two boards shy of a double-double.
- It’s his second time scoring at least 15 points in a game this season. After leading the team in points, a different IU player has led the team in scoring in all four games this year.
- Freshman forward Trent Sisley provided 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting in the win. He added a career-high eight rebounds on Sunday evening.
- Fifth-year senior guard Lamar Wilkerson scored nine points in 27 minutes of action. He added two rebounds and two steals.
- Sixth-year senior guard Tayton Conerway went for nine points. He added six rebounds, seven assists and three blocks over 33 minutes of action.
- Senior forward Reed Bailey tallied seven points. He provided two assists, one rebound and one steal over 13 minutes.
- Redshirt senior guard Conor Enright scored four points and grabbed six rebounds. He dished out five assists in the win.
- Junior guard Jasai Miles played six minutes.
- Junior guard Nick Dorn added one rebound in four minutes of action.
- Up Next: IU continues its homestand at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall with a Thursday
evening (Nov. 16) contest against Lindenwood. The game will tip at 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.