Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Win Exhibition (11-8-02)
11/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
November 8, 2002
Hoosiers Claim Exhibition Win
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Bloomington, Ind. - On a team that features six new faces, newcomer production figures to be a key as the season goes on. However, it was the experience provided by the returners that made the difference for the Indiana women's basketball team in its 70-65 exhibition win over Premier Sports at Assembly Hall on Friday.
Senior forward Jill Hartman scored 18 points with four assists and sophomore guard Jenny DeMuth added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Hoosiers.
In addtion, a key three pointer from DeMuth with just under a minute remaining gave the Hoosiers a five point lead that gave Indiana all the separation it would need down the stretch.
"I fed it down to Jamie, she sent to back to me, and I hit the shot," DeMuth said. "Coach Betthauser is always telling me to take those type of shots and I got the opportunity and hit it."
Getting DeMuth involved offensively is a priority for the Hoosiers this season.
"We had moments there in the second half I think we need to get her more shots to execute our offense better," Bennett said. "When the screen is being set, we are passing the ball away from the action. We just need more repetition."
Despite the production from Hartman and DeMuth, it was the injury to another returner, senior point guard Kristen Bodine, that allowed Premier Sports to hang around in the contest.
Sidelined with a sprained ankle that she sustained in practice, Bodine found herself suited up, but on the bench for Friday's contest. She will most likely not miss any further game action.
As for the game, however, junior forward Jamie Gathing brought tremendous energy to the court with her hustle and ability to keep balls alive. Gathing finished with eight points, five rebounds (four of which were offensive), two assists and two steals in 17 minutes of play.
At one point in the first half, Indiana featured a lineup that was comprised of four freshmen (Kali Kullberg, Brigett Branson, Cyndi Valentin and Angela Hawkins) and a senior (Jill Hartman).
Lineups like this will actually be the norm for Indiana this year, with a roster that features five freshmen, all of which figure to see significant action.
Bloomington native Cyndi Valentin came into the game as the most recognizable, following her stellar career at Bloomington South High School. However, she certainly took her first step toward making her name as a Hoosier on Friday, as she converted on three of her four field goal attempts to finish with six points and two assists.
"I was a little nervous coming in," Valentin said. "The arena is so big and it was my first college game. My parents and coach called me before the game and that really helped to calm my nerves."
Indiana also got significant contributions from freshman Brigett Branson and senior Lisa Eckart. Branson finished with five points and six boards, while Eckart had seven points and 10 rebounds.
Despite some of the solid individual performances, turnovers were a very real problem for the Hoosiers, as the team committed 23 for the game and saw Premier Sports record 15 steals in the contest.
"I thought we were shaky at best," Bennett said. "We have some things to clean up."
The Hoosiers return to action at 7:30 p.m. next Friday when they host the Reebok Lady Stars at Assembly Hall.
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