Big Second Half Gives Indiana Victory Over South Dakota In Puerto Rico Classic Finale

Friday, December 21

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

4 P.M. ET

Indiana University

11-1

RV/RV South Dakota

12-2

South Dakota

Indiana

Big Second Half Gives Indiana Victory Over South Dakota In Puerto Rico Classic Finale

12/21/2018 7:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – Another big third quarter and a 25-point performance by redshirt junior guard Ali Patberg helped propel Indiana Women's Basketball to a 68-60 over South Dakota in the finale of the Puerto Rico Classic. The Hoosiers finish the non-conference portion of their schedule 11-1 overall.

KEY MOMENTS

Indiana trailed 22-13 after the opening quarter as it shot just 25 percent and played without Patberg for much of the period to foul trouble.
They would face their largest deficit midway through the second quarter, down 12 with 4:22 remaining before the half. But IU's defense picked up in the second quarter, holding the Coyotes to just 25 percent shooting in the frame.
They would keep the game within arm's reach as they neared the half, as Royster hit a pair at the line with 2:02 remaining to make it 31-24. USD would knock down one of its six 3-pointers in the first half with just over a minute remaining to regain a double-digit lead. But Yeaney's drive to the rim and made contact, sending her to the line for a pair she sank to make it 34-26 at the break.
The third quarter was a big one for the Hoosiers, who outscored the Coyotes, 23-11, and shot 60 percent from the floor (9-for-15). Indiana went to work, chipping away at its deficit with the help of a 18-5 run as redshirt junior Brenna Wise and freshman forward Aleksa Gulbe hit back-to-back 3-pointers with 3:25 to play.
South Dakota would keep the lead to just one in the final minute and a half of play but the Hoosiers used buckets from Patberg and sophomore guard Jaelynn Penn to go up 49-43 going into the final 10 minutes of action.
In the fourth, two score changes and two ties were exchanged as South Dakota took a one-point lead on a Monica Arens free throw less than two minutes in. Patberg would regain the Hoosier lead on the insuring possession. After another tie game at 51-all, Patberg once again got herself to the line as she got back the lead the Hoosiers wouldn't relinquish with 6:24 to play.
Patberg's 3-pointer capped a 7-0 run for the Hoosiers with just under three minutes remaining, 62-55, and free throws down the stretch in the bonus, including her 8-for-10 performance would help seal the win.

NOTABLE

Redshirt junior guard Ali Patberg recorded her eight consecutive double figure scoring game with a team-high 25 points. She also finished with six rebounds and three steals.
Patberg has now scored 10 of 12 games this season in double figures and her third 20-point plus performance this season.
Redshirt junior forward Brenna Wise and senior forward Kym Royster both ended the game in double figures. Wise added 13 points with three 3-pointers to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. Royster was a rebound shy of a double-double with 11 points and tied a game-high nine rebounds.
The Hoosiers held South Dakota to just 29 percent from the floor on the night, its lowest percentage of the season. USD was also held to a 22.6 percent from the 3-point line, the third lowest single game percentage of the season.
IU shot 42 percent from the floor as it posted its best 60 percent clip in the third quarter.
On the glass, the Hoosiers pulled down the advantage, 43-39. They also picked up eight steals with two each from Wise and freshman guard Grace Berger.
Indiana wins the first ever meeting in the series with the Coyotes.
The Hoosiers close out the non-conference portion of their schedule with an 11-1 record.

UP NEXT
The Hoosiers return to action to begin Big Ten play at Illinois on Friday, Dec. 28. Tipoff in Champaign-Urbana is set for 8 p.m. ET.

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