Indiana University Athletics
Focus and Intensity Highlights Indiana in NCAA Opening Round
3/20/2022 1:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Teri Moren conducted from her feet on the Branch McCracken Court sidelines, eyes wide and intense, a white sheet curled like a baton in her left hand, rising to her toes as her Indiana Hoosiers ran a play.
She gestured, leaned and shouted instructions.
The Hoosiers cut, passed, screened and delivered.
Ali Patberg's resulting fourth-quarter three-pointer didn't decide Saturday's 85-51 NCAA tourney opening-round victory over Charlotte at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The outcome was decided long before, when No. 3-seed IU rocked No. 14-seed Charlotte with a 22-2 run spanning the first and second quarters to take control they never lost.
But it reflected Patberg's focus and Moren's intensity as they opened their quest for a national championship.
"It's important to keep playing as a team," senior forward Aleksa Gulbe said. "We play fast. We're conditioned to do that."
She paused to smile.
"Our strength coaches make sure we're able to do that."
Another pause.
"We have to play our game no matter what the score is."
Intensity extended to the final minute, when junior guard Grace Waggoner drove for a layup, was fouled, crashed to the floor with a loud thud, and got up smiling.
"We played well on both sides," junior forward Mackenzie Holmes said. "We shared the ball and were locked in on defense. Now is a good time to do that. Our coaches had us prepared."
Did they ever.
Right from the start, in front of 6,389 fans, Indiana (23-8) didn't mess around.
Not with these stakes and this opportunity.
"They were very aggressive," Charlotte guard Octavia Jett-Wilson said. "We couldn't get in a rhythm. It's hard to compete when you can't get stops.
"As soon as we punched them, they punched us back."
Punching included exploiting the 49ers' tendency to send all five players to the board to rebound. IU had 18 fastbreak points and 21 layups.
"We're always trying to play downhill," Moren said. "Charlotte has all five players crash the boards, and that gives you an opportunity to run if you're willing."
How good were the Hoosiers? Consider they shot 55 percent against a team that ranked among the nation's best by holding opponents to 35 percent. They had 23 assists against six turnovers. Defensively, they held Charlotte to 37 percent shooting, forced 14 turnovers and had a 22-4 edge in points off turnovers.
"It's the sweet result of all the work we put in," Gulbe said.
Added 49ers coach Cara Consuegra: "Indiana is a great team. "You could see that today. It's a credit to them with what they've done and what they will continue to do."
Charlotte (22-10) never came close to containing an offense that featured five career 1,000-point scorers -- Gulbe, Grace Berger, Patberg, Holmes and Nicole Cardaño-Hillary.
"In this atmosphere," Consuegra said, "we knew we'd have to play our best. We didn't do that.
"Indiana got what they wanted out of their offense. We wanted to stop them. We weren't able to do that."
Impressive Hoosier play included sophomore guard Chloe Moore-McNeil, who came off the bench for seven points, four rebounds and four assists, including five points in an opening four-minute burst.
"Chloe gave us great minutes," Moren said. "She continues to get better."
Holmes led with 19 points and eight rebounds. Berger had 18 points, six rebounds and six assists. Gulbe had 15 points (including a pair of three-pointers) and seven rebounds. Cardaño-Hillary had 11 points and five assists.
"I thought Aleksa was terrific," Moren said. "She showed she's more than a player who plays with her back to the basket.
"We did a lot of good things. We wanted to be balanced in scoring. We had four kids in double figures. Having 23 assists always brings me joy."
Joy including watching Holmes continue to return to form after missing eight gamed with a knee injury. Holmes played 25 minutes, including several in the fourth quarter when the game was decided. Moren said she did that to continue work on Holmes' conditioning.
"Mack is starting to find her groove," Moren said
Added Holmes: "At the end of the day, I'll do whatever it takes to win. I'm trying to get better every day. My teammates and coaches are pushing me to do so
Berger paced IU to a 9-7 lead after six minutes with four points and two rebounds. Charlotte tied the score at 11-11.
Then the Hoosiers took charge.
Moore-McNeil came off the bench to hit three-point and two-point baskets. Cardaño-Hillary made four free throws. Holmes scored a basket.
By the end of the first quarter, IU led 22-12 with all the momentum.
The Hoosiers pushed the lead to 14, then 18, then 20. By halftime, they were ahead 42-24. Gulbe led with 11 points and five rebounds.
The second-half key: don't lose the intensity.
Mission accomplished. IU won the final 20 minutes 43-27.
The Hoosiers will play again Monday night Princeton (25-4) at 8 p.m. in the Hall.
"It was a good first game," Moren said, "but we know it's a six-game series. We have to be better."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Teri Moren conducted from her feet on the Branch McCracken Court sidelines, eyes wide and intense, a white sheet curled like a baton in her left hand, rising to her toes as her Indiana Hoosiers ran a play.
She gestured, leaned and shouted instructions.
The Hoosiers cut, passed, screened and delivered.
Ali Patberg's resulting fourth-quarter three-pointer didn't decide Saturday's 85-51 NCAA tourney opening-round victory over Charlotte at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The outcome was decided long before, when No. 3-seed IU rocked No. 14-seed Charlotte with a 22-2 run spanning the first and second quarters to take control they never lost.
But it reflected Patberg's focus and Moren's intensity as they opened their quest for a national championship.
"It's important to keep playing as a team," senior forward Aleksa Gulbe said. "We play fast. We're conditioned to do that."
She paused to smile.
"Our strength coaches make sure we're able to do that."
Another pause.
"We have to play our game no matter what the score is."
Intensity extended to the final minute, when junior guard Grace Waggoner drove for a layup, was fouled, crashed to the floor with a loud thud, and got up smiling.
"We played well on both sides," junior forward Mackenzie Holmes said. "We shared the ball and were locked in on defense. Now is a good time to do that. Our coaches had us prepared."
Did they ever.
Right from the start, in front of 6,389 fans, Indiana (23-8) didn't mess around.
Not with these stakes and this opportunity.
"They were very aggressive," Charlotte guard Octavia Jett-Wilson said. "We couldn't get in a rhythm. It's hard to compete when you can't get stops.
"As soon as we punched them, they punched us back."
Punching included exploiting the 49ers' tendency to send all five players to the board to rebound. IU had 18 fastbreak points and 21 layups.
"We're always trying to play downhill," Moren said. "Charlotte has all five players crash the boards, and that gives you an opportunity to run if you're willing."
How good were the Hoosiers? Consider they shot 55 percent against a team that ranked among the nation's best by holding opponents to 35 percent. They had 23 assists against six turnovers. Defensively, they held Charlotte to 37 percent shooting, forced 14 turnovers and had a 22-4 edge in points off turnovers.
"It's the sweet result of all the work we put in," Gulbe said.
Added 49ers coach Cara Consuegra: "Indiana is a great team. "You could see that today. It's a credit to them with what they've done and what they will continue to do."
Charlotte (22-10) never came close to containing an offense that featured five career 1,000-point scorers -- Gulbe, Grace Berger, Patberg, Holmes and Nicole Cardaño-Hillary.
"In this atmosphere," Consuegra said, "we knew we'd have to play our best. We didn't do that.
"Indiana got what they wanted out of their offense. We wanted to stop them. We weren't able to do that."
Impressive Hoosier play included sophomore guard Chloe Moore-McNeil, who came off the bench for seven points, four rebounds and four assists, including five points in an opening four-minute burst.
"Chloe gave us great minutes," Moren said. "She continues to get better."
Holmes led with 19 points and eight rebounds. Berger had 18 points, six rebounds and six assists. Gulbe had 15 points (including a pair of three-pointers) and seven rebounds. Cardaño-Hillary had 11 points and five assists.
"I thought Aleksa was terrific," Moren said. "She showed she's more than a player who plays with her back to the basket.
"We did a lot of good things. We wanted to be balanced in scoring. We had four kids in double figures. Having 23 assists always brings me joy."
Joy including watching Holmes continue to return to form after missing eight gamed with a knee injury. Holmes played 25 minutes, including several in the fourth quarter when the game was decided. Moren said she did that to continue work on Holmes' conditioning.
"Mack is starting to find her groove," Moren said
Added Holmes: "At the end of the day, I'll do whatever it takes to win. I'm trying to get better every day. My teammates and coaches are pushing me to do so
Berger paced IU to a 9-7 lead after six minutes with four points and two rebounds. Charlotte tied the score at 11-11.
Then the Hoosiers took charge.
Moore-McNeil came off the bench to hit three-point and two-point baskets. Cardaño-Hillary made four free throws. Holmes scored a basket.
By the end of the first quarter, IU led 22-12 with all the momentum.
The Hoosiers pushed the lead to 14, then 18, then 20. By halftime, they were ahead 42-24. Gulbe led with 11 points and five rebounds.
The second-half key: don't lose the intensity.
Mission accomplished. IU won the final 20 minutes 43-27.
The Hoosiers will play again Monday night Princeton (25-4) at 8 p.m. in the Hall.
"It was a good first game," Moren said, "but we know it's a six-game series. We have to be better."
Players Mentioned
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