Quick thoughts about a double win in the 79-76 overtime at Northwestern:
How did this happen: Indiana had another slow start offensively patented at the Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Hoosiers did not score a point in the first 5:35 of the game and lost to Northwestern by 14 at the 7:41 mark of the first half. But even with the terrible offensive start, the Wildcats were unable to move away. And as Northwestern produced a long scoring drought of its own, Indiana climbed back into the game. By the 2:32 mark, Indiana was within three and one last bucket of Trayce Jackson-Davis – his first and only field goal of the time – sent IU to the middle with 23-20. Indiana threw just 24.1 percent of the field and committed seven losses. The Hoosiers were fortunate to be only behind three.
The problems with turnover continued until the second half. The Hoosiers committed five in less than 10 minutes to start the game and that fifth accident turned into a 3-point Robbie Beran to extend the Northwest’s lead to six in 39-33. The Wildcats increased the lead to seven on a 3-point Ryan Greer with 7:41 to play, but Indiana responded back with a 3-point Armaan Franklin just nine seconds later. Northwestern responded with a 3 from Robbie Beran and a basket from Greer to increase the lead to nine with 6:22 to play.
Out of the media time limit for minors under four, Indiana scored on a Jackson-Davis dunk off the set to reduce to three, but Northwestern responded with a bucket of Greer to stretch the lead back to five. After a comeback from Rob Phinisee, Northwestern received a bucket from Ryan Young to push the lead back to seven. Indiana split a pair of free throws from Al Durham Jr. in the next possession. The Hoosiers then had a robbery that led to two free throws from Durham and received another robbery from Franklin which led to two more free throws from Durham to reduce the advantage to two. The Hoosiers then had a stop and a bucket of Durham with 25.8 seconds to end the game to tie the game at 54. IU had two fouls to give and used both, as Northwestern failed to make his last attempt on the pitch. with 3.9 seconds to ring.
Indiana lost by five in overtime with 2:57 to play, but Franklin responded with a 3 to bring the Hoosiers back in two. After it looked like Northwestern could retreat, Indiana had a six point deficit with 1:05 to play to a two point deficit with 13.4 seconds to go. Al Durham then hit a deep 2 with 1.4 seconds to force a second overtime.
In the double overtime, Jerome Hunter hit a 3-point basket with 16.2 seconds to give IU a four-point advantage, but Chase Audige responded with a 3-point advantage with 7.4 seconds remaining to bring Northwestern within one in 75-74. Northwestern missed Durham, who hit both free throws with 5.7 seconds left. Indiana then missed Boo Buie, who made two free throws to make the 77-76 in Indiana. Northwestern then fouled Durham, who made two free throws to give IU a 3 point advantage. A shot by Buie on the buzzer missed and Indiana completed her 11th victory.
Featured artists: Armaan Franklin still sees a lot, but he remains a consistent scorer for the Hoosiers, despite not being 100 percent healthy. Franklin scored 23 points out of 6 out of 15 shots. Durham had the team’s highest score, 24 points and hit 11 out of 12 free throws.
Stands that stand out: Indiana started 0 of 6 from the free throw line, but then made 27 of his last 32 to finish 27 of 38 (71.1 percent) of the line.
Final individual UI statistics:
Final statistics without pace:
Filed under: Northwestern Wildcats