Late Push Lifts Indiana over Army, 72-64

Sunday, November 12

Bloomington, Ind.

7:00 PM

Indiana University

2-0,0-0Big Ten

Army

0-3,0-0Patriot

Army West Point

Indiana

11/12/2023 9:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Sometimes, if you're Indiana and struggling against a smaller opponent (can you say Army on Sunday night?), you keep it simple.

You get the ball to 7-foot Kel'el Ware and 6-9 Malik Reneau.

Repeat as necessary.

They combined to score the Hoosiers' first 17 points of the second half, turning a three-point deficit into a five-point advantage that became a 72-64 victory at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Coach Mike Woodson wanted more.

Ware finished with 20 points and six rebounds. Reneau had 14 and seven, plus five assists. They were a combined 13-for-19 from the field.

Point guard Xavier Johnson totaled 19 points, was 9-for-9 on free throws, and had five assists and three rebounds.

It was enough for a 2-0 start to the season, but Woodson wanted more. With challenging games looming in the next few weeks, the Hoosiers need more.

"We're not going as hard in practice," Johnson said. "Our preparation led to that."

For the second straight game, Indiana started slowly. Despite a substantial size disadvantage, Army led for more than 14 minutes of the first half and had an 18-16 rebound advantage.

"The whole first unit stunk in the first half," Woodson said. "You put out a starting five, you expect them to get you off to a great start. We haven't done that. I have to figure that out."

For the second straight game, Woodson utilized a small lineup down the stretch with Johnson, Reneau, Ware, Trey Galloway, and Gabe Cupps.

"I will play guys who want to play and play the right way," Woodson said. "The last two games down the stretch, the small lineup was pretty good for us. It they keep making plays down the stretch, it will be okay."

Woodson said he wants more from freshman Mackenzie Mgbako and sophomores CJ Gunn and Kaleb Banks.

"If I don't feel you're giving it to me, I have to go somewhere else to get it," Woodson said.

"Mgbako has to play harder and do the things we want on both ends of the floor. That might keep him on the floor."

Added Johnson: "I try to tell them to do the right things. Do that, play hard and Coach will reward you. You've got to play hard to play for Coach Woodson."

Army (0-3) kept it close with 13 three-pointers. Seven Black Knights made at least one.

"They were shooting threes right in our face and making them," Woodson said, "but for the most part, we played pretty well defensively. We've got to get better."

Although IU shot 58 percent from the field, it only took 43 shots compared to Army's 61. Add 18 turnovers and the lack of offensive efficiency was a problem.

"You've got to move the ball," Woodson said. "Trust each other. We catch the ball, put it on the floor and think about making a play for ourselves. They have to trust each other. My job is to get them to trust."

Added Johnson: "We stand and watch and wait until someone makes a play. We have to get away from that."

Woodson wants less half-court offense and more fast-break transition, but that requires defensive stops, rebounding and a full-throttle approach. The Hoosiers did that in exhibition wins over the University of Indianapolis and Marian University, but not so much against Florida Gulf Coast and Army.

"If you get stops and rebound," Woodson said, "you have an opportunity to fast break and make plays. Getting steals is a quick way to play faster. We're not doing any of those things.

"You can't live on the half-court game. I want to play faster. I have to get them to doing that. We're not doing it yet."

What should the offense look like?

"Everybody touches the ball," Johnson said. "Move the ball. We have a lot of talent. Share the ball, move the ball and run. We're not getting enough stops to get out and run it."

Johnson was a first-half difference maker with 15 points. He made 4-of-5 shots, 2-of-3 from three-point range and 5-for-5 from the line. He had three assists and no turnovers.

Four turnovers and 33.3 percent shooting in the first five minutes were major factors in IU's early 11-7 deficit.

Woodson put in Cupps, then Gunn, then forward Payton Sparks to spark the Hoosiers. It didn't help. In one possession, Army grabbed two straight offensive rebounds before hitting a three-pointer for a 19-11 lead.

Banks' three-pointer ended that 8-0 Black Knights run.

Johnson's three-point play closed the lead to 24-21. A pair of Johnson free throws kept IU within three at 28-25. An Mgbako jumper made it a two-point game with 1:50 left in the half.

Johnson's three-pointer with a minute pushed the Hoosiers ahead 30-29. His assist to Reneau have IU a 32-31 halftime lead.

A pair of Black Knight three-pointers gave them a 39-36 second-half lead. IU kept pounding it inside to Reneau and Ware. They combined for the Hoosiers' first 10 second-half points and a brief three-point lead until Army hit its third three-pointer of the half for a 42-42 tie.

Five straight Ware points gave the Hoosiers their biggest lead at 47-42.

A Ware turnover resulted in a brief trip to the bench and playing time for Sparks, who got his first Hoosier action after transferring from Ball State. He missed the season opener because of an ankle injury suffered in the exhibition win over the University of Indianapolis.

His reverse layup pushed IU ahead 56-50 with 9:29 left.

Ware returned a few minutes later. Army tied it at 58-58. Ware made a free throw. Reneau made two, then blocked a shot. Cupps hit a three-pointer. The Hoosiers led 64-58 and held on.

IU hosts Wright State on Thursday night before heading to New York City for the Empire Classic, where it opens with defending national champ Connecticut. Texas and Louisville also are in the field.

"We can build on this," Woodson said. "We have to continue to work."