Hoosiers Win Maui Title

Nov. 27, 2002

Lahaina, Hawaii - Both the Indiana Hoosiers and the Virginia Cavaliers began their first two games at the Maui Invitational with a fast-paced offense. Virginia easily disposed of Kentucky while Indiana took care of Gonzaga to move into Wednesday night's championship game.

Once both teams took to the same court though, the pace drastically slowed. Rarely was there a big streak by each team, but with 10 minutes remaining in the second half, the Hoosiers showed up and quickly sped to their first EA Sports Maui Invitational title in three tries, with a 70-63 win over Virginia.

"Virginia was a very physical team, that gave us quite a test tonight," said Indiana head coach Mike Davis. "Gonzaga took so much out of us last night, I was happy with how we hung in there."

From the opening tip until just after halftime, the Hoosiers and Cavaliers went back-and-forth exchanging the lead each time up the floor. Midway through the second half, Indiana began to spark, led by freshman Marshall Strickland. IU took the lead by seven as Strickland completed a four-point play at the nine-minute mark.

The Hoosiers (3-0) lengthened their lead as just one minute later, and the shot clock winding down, senior Jeff Newton drained a three, which was shortly followed by a Bracey Wright breakaway layup. Virginia (3-1) quickly found themselves on the short end of a 15-1 run. In fact, the Cavaliers were held scoreless from the field during a eight-minute span midway through the second half.

Tuesday night, Indiana faltered in the homestretch letting a 17-point lead drop to just one against Gonzaga. Virginia attempted the same feat Wednesday, but the Hoosiers remained strong. Indiana committed just three turnovers in the second half compared to the 11 the Hoosiers accounted for in the first.

The Hoosiers were led by freshmen Wright and Strickland, who netted career highs of 21 and 15 points, respectively. Wright finished a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line, while Strickland was 5-of-6 from the floor.

"I think Bracey and I had a lot of nerves in our first game, but I think we have a lot of talent and can contribute to this team," said Strickland. "The young guys are able to make the adjustments quickly."

His fellow classmate agrees.

"We're a better team than a lot of people are giving us credit for right now," said Wright. "We showed in this tournament that we can beat some top teams."

Both freshmen were able to step in for senior guard Tom Coverdale who contributed just six points but was hampered with nagging back pain throughout the championship game.

"With Tom's back the way it is, it's tough for him to go three straight days," said Davis. "The fact that Marshall can come off the bench and play well with Bracey bodes well for the team."

Also stepping up for the Hoosiers again Wednesday night was junior George Leach. Grabbing 13 rebounds against Virginia, Leach has now recorded double-figure rebounding games in two of his last three games.

Leach's counterpart Jeff Newton, nearly recorded a double-double with 11 points and eight rebounds. The Hoosier duo's performances certainly please Davis.

"I love big athletic men that are strong in the post," Davis said. "I have said all along that Newton is the type of player that can do everything that Jared Jeffries did."

For Indiana, it's the Hoosiers third 3-0 start in the past five years. IU will look to remain undefeated as they host North Texas on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 1:00 p.m. The game will be televised locally on ESPN Plus.

Indiana University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Tom Coverdale

Tom Coverdale

Tom Coverdale

Tom Coverdale

George Leach

George Leach

George Leach

George Leach

George Leach

Jeff Newton

Jeff Newton

Jeff Newton

Jeff Newton

Marshall Strickland

Marshall Strickland

Marshall Strickland

Marshall Strickland

Bracey Wright

Bracey Wright

Bracey Wright

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