Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Fight off AIS, 75-67 (11-08-04)
11/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.-- Junior Cyndi Valentin's game-high 23 points paced the Indiana women's basketball team to a 75-67 victory over the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) on Monday night at the Branch McCracken Court at Assembly Hall.
"The most important goal for us tonight was to win this game," said Head Coach Kathi Bennett. "Even though it was the first game, it was important no matter how ugly it was. I thought we had stretches in which we looked really good."
Indiana and the AIS were evenly matched in the first half of action, trading basket-for-basket through the first 14 minutes of play as neither team led by more than four points. Sophomore Annika Boyd came off the bench and finally got things started for the Hoosiers around the five minute mark when she pulled down some key rebounds and connected on a three-pointer to give the Cream and Crimson an eight-point advantage and its largest lead of the half, 32-24 at the 5:08 mark.
The Hoosier defense would then be tested after the AIS went on a 8-0 run to bring the score to a deadlock at 37 a piece with 1:22 left in the stanza. The AIS would continue to roll and take its first lead of the half since the 9:48 mark when Kathleen McLeod sank two free throws to go ahead by two, 39-37. The lead for the AIS would be short-lived however, as the Hoosiers pushed the ball up the court to an awaiting LeeAnn Stephenson who then sank a jumper at the buzzer to tie the score at 39 apiece heading into the locker room.
AIS would rattle the Hoosiers in the opening minutes of the second half, hitting back-to-back three pointers to take a quick five-point lead, 47-42. As the minutes ticked down, it would be the same story as the first half, as neither team enjoyed much of a lead. Just as she did in the first half of play, Boyd hit a clutch three-pointer down the stretch to give the Hoosiers their first lead of the second half, 62-61 with 5:25 showing on the clock.
"I thought Annika gave us great minutes," said Bennett. "She hit a couple of crucial shots and played good defensively. She gave us great energy."
Things really got down to the wire in the last 3:30 left to play, but thanks to a Leah Enterline three-point basket from the corner, the Cream and Crimson went ahead by three, 67-64 and never looked back. The Hoosiers refused to let up from then on and turned up the intensity throughout the last two minutes of the game. A key basket and a free throw by Angela Hawkins followed by two free throws from Stephenson would seal the 75-67 Hoosier victory.
Aside from Valentin's 23-point effort, Boyd was the only other Hoosier to reach double-digits in scoring, finishing with 10 points on the night. Hawkins added eight points while grabbing nine rebounds.
Caitlin Cunningham led the AIS with 16 points, while McLeod and Christina Fox pitched in with 11 points.
Indiana will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 19, when it travels to Waco, Texas, for its regular- season opener against the No. 8 Baylor Lady Bears. Game time is slated for 8:00 p.m (EST). The game can be heard live on WHCC (105.1) with Jeremy Gray calling the action.
"The most important goal for us tonight was to win this game," said Head Coach Kathi Bennett. "Even though it was the first game, it was important no matter how ugly it was. I thought we had stretches in which we looked really good."
Indiana and the AIS were evenly matched in the first half of action, trading basket-for-basket through the first 14 minutes of play as neither team led by more than four points. Sophomore Annika Boyd came off the bench and finally got things started for the Hoosiers around the five minute mark when she pulled down some key rebounds and connected on a three-pointer to give the Cream and Crimson an eight-point advantage and its largest lead of the half, 32-24 at the 5:08 mark.
The Hoosier defense would then be tested after the AIS went on a 8-0 run to bring the score to a deadlock at 37 a piece with 1:22 left in the stanza. The AIS would continue to roll and take its first lead of the half since the 9:48 mark when Kathleen McLeod sank two free throws to go ahead by two, 39-37. The lead for the AIS would be short-lived however, as the Hoosiers pushed the ball up the court to an awaiting LeeAnn Stephenson who then sank a jumper at the buzzer to tie the score at 39 apiece heading into the locker room.
AIS would rattle the Hoosiers in the opening minutes of the second half, hitting back-to-back three pointers to take a quick five-point lead, 47-42. As the minutes ticked down, it would be the same story as the first half, as neither team enjoyed much of a lead. Just as she did in the first half of play, Boyd hit a clutch three-pointer down the stretch to give the Hoosiers their first lead of the second half, 62-61 with 5:25 showing on the clock.
"I thought Annika gave us great minutes," said Bennett. "She hit a couple of crucial shots and played good defensively. She gave us great energy."
Things really got down to the wire in the last 3:30 left to play, but thanks to a Leah Enterline three-point basket from the corner, the Cream and Crimson went ahead by three, 67-64 and never looked back. The Hoosiers refused to let up from then on and turned up the intensity throughout the last two minutes of the game. A key basket and a free throw by Angela Hawkins followed by two free throws from Stephenson would seal the 75-67 Hoosier victory.
Aside from Valentin's 23-point effort, Boyd was the only other Hoosier to reach double-digits in scoring, finishing with 10 points on the night. Hawkins added eight points while grabbing nine rebounds.
Caitlin Cunningham led the AIS with 16 points, while McLeod and Christina Fox pitched in with 11 points.
Indiana will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 19, when it travels to Waco, Texas, for its regular- season opener against the No. 8 Baylor Lady Bears. Game time is slated for 8:00 p.m (EST). The game can be heard live on WHCC (105.1) with Jeremy Gray calling the action.
Players Mentioned
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