Hoosiers Win Over Team Nike

November 16, 2002

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Although it seemed to take a while for the Indiana men's basketball team to heat up on a chilly Saturday evening in Bloomington, the Hoosiers had no problem taking care of Team Nike in their final exhibition game, 74-49.

Although the Hoosiers pulled away with a convincing win, they were outscored 34-30 in the second half. Coaches and players alike were not satisfied with that statistic, but are looking forward to opening their season in the Maui Invitational which begins Nov. 25 in Maui, Hawaii.

"I think execution-wise on offense we are further along then some teams," said junior guard A.J. Moye. "But it is early, and in a couple of weeks everyone will be clinking on the same level. Then it is just going to come down to sheer pride and tenacity, determination and hustle."

The Hoosiers opened the game on a 5-0 run, but it took them three minutes to do so. Missed shots and turnovers hampered the Hoosiers at the start of the game, but recovered with their perimeter shooting, led by senior Kyle Hornsby and freshman Bracey Wright.
Wright was quick to energize the 13,465 Hoosier faithful in attendance, knocking down his first two three pointers of the night. A native of The Colony, Texas, Wright led all scorers with 12 points at halftime, nearly outscoring the entire Team Nike squad as the Hoosiers led 44-15 at the break. IU was 18-of-32 from the field at the break, while Team Nike was just 6-of-30 shooting.

Hornsby was 4-of-9 in field goal attempts, all four coming from three-point range as he chipped in 12 points. Wright went 7-of-12 from the field en route to scoring 16 points. A.J. Moye added 12 points of his own going 5-of-6 from the floor. Senior guard Tom Coverdale played just 13 minutes and recording two points on the evening.

"Coverdale is the key to our basketball team and Tom hadn't practiced in three days because of his back. Without him out there leading the team, it's tough for us to be a real good basketball team," said head coach Mike Davis.

"Bracey Wright is really that good. He's going to get better once he understands how to play at a real strong pace. The game comes easy to him. With Coverdale and Hornsby out there, it will take some of the pressure off Bracey," said head coach Mike Davis. "When we get Coverdale and Hornsby and Bracey playing well, it will be tough to guard them. With Coverdale's back the way that it's been, though, it's difficult for them to get a rhythm going offensively."

As a part of a nationwide NCAA experiment, the Hoosiers expanded the free-throw box and lengthened the three-point line an extra nine inches. The added measurements didn't bother Hornsby, as the Anacoco, La., native was three of six shooting from the arc. Senior A.J. Moye also caught fire in the first half as well, as he drained three of four from three.

With the commanding lead, Davis rearranged the lineup on the floor, giving redshirt freshman Sean Kline many looks in the post position. Kline played 16 minutes Saturday, recording nine points on 3-of-4 shooting. The Huntington, Ind., native also tallied two rebounds as well.

"I like Sean Kline," said Davis. "Some days he's a very good player, some days he's not. It's just a matter of concentration. Tonight he wasn't bad, but he's better than what he played tonight."

With just one minute left in the game, the fans slowly filing out of Assembly Hall, Indiana was rejuvenated once again as freshman Daryl Pegram brought fans to their feet with a string of plays. At one end Pegram blocked a Team Nike attempt then hustled down the court and hit the hardwood, diving for a loose ball only to get to his feet and knock down a three pointer to cap the impressive play.

Indiana will open its regular season on Nov. 25 at the Maui Invitaional, in Maui, Hawaii. The Hoosiers will face Massachusetts at 5 p.m. Bloomington time.

Indiana University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Tom Coverdale

Tom Coverdale

Tom Coverdale

Tom Coverdale

Kyle Hornsby

Kyle Hornsby

Kyle Hornsby

Kyle Hornsby

Sean Kline

Sean Kline

Sean Kline

Sean Kline

Sean Kline

A.J. Moye

A.J. Moye

A.J. Moye

A.J. Moye

Daryl Pegram

Bracey Wright

Bracey Wright

Bracey Wright

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