IU Breaks Losing Streak

February 12, 2003

Bloomington, Ind. - The Indiana Hoosiers broke their five-game losing streak tonight against the Michigan Wolverines, 63-49. IU improves to 15-8 on the season, 5-5 in conference play as Michigan falls to 14-9, 7-3 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers extend their win streak against Michigan in Assembly Hall to seven straight games.

For the first time this season Tom Coverdale, Bracey Wright, Marshall Strickland, A.J. Moye and Jeff Newton started for the Hoosiers and it was the change IU needed for the win.

"I'm a loyal guy," head coach Mike Davis said. "You try to give guys opportunities and plenty of guys chances. I just thought we needed to be quicker offensively. I think Marshall (Strickland) can really push the ball up the court in transition and get into the offense quicker. I think (Tom) Coverdale presents a problem for people coming off screens and catching and driving it, shooting it. When we first moved Coverdale to the point guard three years ago, we only played him at the point guard because we had no one else, only him, and he played it well. But now it's really taken a toll on him physically, to have to push the ball up the court. And this year, people are playing him totally different than they did last year."

In the first half of play the Hoosiers went on a 12-0 run holding the Wolverines scoreless for 5:42 to take a 21-9 lead. IU entered intermission with a 32-18 advantage, only turning the ball over three times. Michigan's 18 points is the second lowest first-half output by an IU opponent this season.

Michigan was only able to bring the lead down to single digits once during the half when Daniel Horton hit a three-pointer to cut IU's lead to eight, 42-34. Bracey Wright brought the Hoosiers back into a double-digit lead after converting on a three-point play. Indiana never let up, finishing the game up by 14, 63-59.

Indiana's defense held Michigan to just 37.5% from the field, the first time in five games that the Hoosiers have held their opponent to under 50% from the floor. IU also out rebounded the Wolverines 40-31.

"Our backs were against the wall tonight," Newton said. "We had to be strong on the defensive end and we were. Our defense and intensity was the key. We've been scoring enough points to win, but our defense just hasn't been there."

For the second consecutive game both Bracey Wright and Jeff Newton scored 20 points or more and were the only IU players in double figures. Newton finished the game with his ninth double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He also added four blocks to his career total of 210 and needs just four more to become Indiana's all-time blocks leader surpassing Alan Henderson.

Wright finished with 21 points, the best shooting performance since his return against Michigan State on Jan. 28. Wright has now scored in double figures in all but one game that he has played in this season and has reached the 20-point mark seven times this season. This puts him tied for fourth with Ricky Calloway for 20-point outings by a freshman.

"Tonight's win was very encouraging," said Wright. "We've had five rough games now, but tonight was a sign that we're not dead yet. We knew coming in that it was going to be tough. We just dug into our defense and everything worked out for us."

A.J. Moye started in his sixth game this season putting in a hard-fought 26 minutes for the Hoosiers scoring five points and tying his season-high in rebounds with eight.

Daniel Horton led the Wolverines with 16 points and Bernard Robinson Jr. followed with 10 and added seven rebounds.

The Hoosiers are back on the road Saturday, February 15 to go up against Wisconsin. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. and will be televised on CBS Sports.

Indiana University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Tom Coverdale

Tom Coverdale

Tom Coverdale

Tom Coverdale

A.J. Moye

A.J. Moye

A.J. Moye

A.J. Moye

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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