Indiana University Athletics
Determination On Full Display As Hoosiers Continue Historic Season
2/16/2023 11:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The blowouts keep coming.
Is a Big Ten championship next?
It's come to this for Indiana amid a run of women's basketball dominance that has lifted it to a No. 2 national ranking and the cusp of its first regular season Big Ten championship.
The latest example came Thursday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, when the Hoosiers (25-1 overall, 15-1 in the Big Ten) beat No. 12/13 Michigan, 68-52.
The 25 victories set a program record.
The Hoosiers have won by at least 11 points in 10 of their last 13 games. In the other three, the closest margin was seven.
This reflects a determination to do needs to be done, starting with practice.
"Every drill we do has a purpose -- ball screen defense, passing out of double teams, playing fast," forward Mackenzie Holmes said. "Whatever we're asked to do, we take it seriously. It's staying focused and locked in."
On Thursday night, IU attacked at all levels. Its defense rattled the Wolverines (20-6, 10-5) into a turnover frenzy -- 21 that led to 24 Hoosier points.
Indiana's 12-0 second-quarter run produced a 15-point lead that swelled to 22 at the beginning of the third quarter and to 24 by the end of it.
"We knew we had to lock in on defense," Holmes said.
IU arrived with a school-record eight ranked victories, five over top-10 teams, and 12 straight wins overall, 16 consecutive at home.
That included a 93-83 win over Michigan last month in Ann Arbor behind Holmes' 25 points and 10 rebounds.
"Give credit to our players and their focus," coach Teri Moren said about the 9-0 record against ranked teams. "It motivates them.
"This group has had lofty goals. To achieve the goals we want, we have to win a lot of games. They're laser focused on their goals."
Michigan countered with a four-game winning streak and two players averaging 16 points or better in guard Leigha Brown and forward Emily Kiser.
On this night, it wasn't nearly enough.
"Indiana is a great team," Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said. "We knew it would be tough challenge. They got in the flow. We had a big halftime deficit. We tried to battle back, but their offense was too successful."
Holmes led that offense with 27 points, and that was with missing multiple layups. Her five blocks gave her 198 for her career, second in program history.
Guard Chloe Moore-McNeil added 13 points, but it was her shutdown defense (including three steals), that set the tone. She always gets the opposing team's best perimeter player.
"Chloe did an outstanding job," Moren said. "She's a high-level, elite defender."
It was an acquired skilled honed by work and determination.
"I tell myself I can do this," Moore-McNeil said. "I take pride in one-on-one defense.
"My game comes from a mental standpoint and confidence in myself. My teammates and coaches believe in me. It's time I believed in myself."
Michigan won the game's first three and a half minutes. Then IU surged. In 75 seconds, guard Yarden Garzon scored. Holmes had a basket and a three-point play. Moore-McNeil drained a three-pointer. The Hoosiers led 18-9, then went into a mini scoring drought.
Michigan closed to 22-17 at the end of the first quarter. Holmes had 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting.
The Wolverines cut the lead to three 30 seconds into the second quarter. Then Grace Berger made a free throw, then added a pair of crafty layups. Garzon hit her second three-pointer. Moore-McNeil had a steal, drive and score. Lilly Meister scored inside. The Hoosiers led 34-19 with 4:33 left in the second quarter.
Holmes ended the half with a pair of free throws -- giving her 16 points -- for a 42-28 Hoosier lead.
Holmes and Moore-McNeil dominated the third quarter's first three minutes. Moore-McNeil had a pair of three-pointers. Holmes had a pair of baskets. The lead was 52-30.
After a brief Hoosier scoring drought, Meister came off the bench for a pair of baskets and a free throw to restore the 22-point, then Lexus Bargesser ended the quarter with a layup for a 61-37 lead.
The Wolverines scored the fourth quarter's first 11 points before five straight Holmes points restored Cream 'n Crimson momentum.
"They have a ton of experience," Barnes Arico said. "They have maturity and a sense of urgency. They are hard to guard. They can score at every position. They move the ball with intent.
"I think they can win a national championship. They have a chance to be pretty special."
The next chance comes during Sunday's Senior Day game against rival Purdue at a sold-out Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
A week later, IU ends its regular season at No. 7 Iowa as part of ESPN's College GameDay.
"We have a quick turnaround," Moren said. "We have to get ready for a good Purdue team."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The blowouts keep coming.
Is a Big Ten championship next?
It's come to this for Indiana amid a run of women's basketball dominance that has lifted it to a No. 2 national ranking and the cusp of its first regular season Big Ten championship.
The latest example came Thursday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, when the Hoosiers (25-1 overall, 15-1 in the Big Ten) beat No. 12/13 Michigan, 68-52.
The 25 victories set a program record.
The Hoosiers have won by at least 11 points in 10 of their last 13 games. In the other three, the closest margin was seven.
This reflects a determination to do needs to be done, starting with practice.
"Every drill we do has a purpose -- ball screen defense, passing out of double teams, playing fast," forward Mackenzie Holmes said. "Whatever we're asked to do, we take it seriously. It's staying focused and locked in."
On Thursday night, IU attacked at all levels. Its defense rattled the Wolverines (20-6, 10-5) into a turnover frenzy -- 21 that led to 24 Hoosier points.
Indiana's 12-0 second-quarter run produced a 15-point lead that swelled to 22 at the beginning of the third quarter and to 24 by the end of it.
"We knew we had to lock in on defense," Holmes said.
IU arrived with a school-record eight ranked victories, five over top-10 teams, and 12 straight wins overall, 16 consecutive at home.
That included a 93-83 win over Michigan last month in Ann Arbor behind Holmes' 25 points and 10 rebounds.
"Give credit to our players and their focus," coach Teri Moren said about the 9-0 record against ranked teams. "It motivates them.
"This group has had lofty goals. To achieve the goals we want, we have to win a lot of games. They're laser focused on their goals."
Michigan countered with a four-game winning streak and two players averaging 16 points or better in guard Leigha Brown and forward Emily Kiser.
On this night, it wasn't nearly enough.
"Indiana is a great team," Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said. "We knew it would be tough challenge. They got in the flow. We had a big halftime deficit. We tried to battle back, but their offense was too successful."
Holmes led that offense with 27 points, and that was with missing multiple layups. Her five blocks gave her 198 for her career, second in program history.
Guard Chloe Moore-McNeil added 13 points, but it was her shutdown defense (including three steals), that set the tone. She always gets the opposing team's best perimeter player.
"Chloe did an outstanding job," Moren said. "She's a high-level, elite defender."
It was an acquired skilled honed by work and determination.
"I tell myself I can do this," Moore-McNeil said. "I take pride in one-on-one defense.
"My game comes from a mental standpoint and confidence in myself. My teammates and coaches believe in me. It's time I believed in myself."
Michigan won the game's first three and a half minutes. Then IU surged. In 75 seconds, guard Yarden Garzon scored. Holmes had a basket and a three-point play. Moore-McNeil drained a three-pointer. The Hoosiers led 18-9, then went into a mini scoring drought.
Michigan closed to 22-17 at the end of the first quarter. Holmes had 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting.
The Wolverines cut the lead to three 30 seconds into the second quarter. Then Grace Berger made a free throw, then added a pair of crafty layups. Garzon hit her second three-pointer. Moore-McNeil had a steal, drive and score. Lilly Meister scored inside. The Hoosiers led 34-19 with 4:33 left in the second quarter.
Holmes ended the half with a pair of free throws -- giving her 16 points -- for a 42-28 Hoosier lead.
Holmes and Moore-McNeil dominated the third quarter's first three minutes. Moore-McNeil had a pair of three-pointers. Holmes had a pair of baskets. The lead was 52-30.
After a brief Hoosier scoring drought, Meister came off the bench for a pair of baskets and a free throw to restore the 22-point, then Lexus Bargesser ended the quarter with a layup for a 61-37 lead.
The Wolverines scored the fourth quarter's first 11 points before five straight Holmes points restored Cream 'n Crimson momentum.
"They have a ton of experience," Barnes Arico said. "They have maturity and a sense of urgency. They are hard to guard. They can score at every position. They move the ball with intent.
"I think they can win a national championship. They have a chance to be pretty special."
The next chance comes during Sunday's Senior Day game against rival Purdue at a sold-out Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
A week later, IU ends its regular season at No. 7 Iowa as part of ESPN's College GameDay.
"We have a quick turnaround," Moren said. "We have to get ready for a good Purdue team."
Players Mentioned
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