Hoosiers Suffer Setback in Lincoln

Friday, December 13

Lincoln, Neb.

8 p.m.

Indiana University

8-3,1-1Big Ten

Nebraska

7-2,1-1Big Ten

Indiana

Nebraska

12/13/2024 9:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery Postgame Notes Watch | Highlights Watch | IUBB Press Conference Photo Gallery

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A road victory was there for the taking. Indiana had positioned itself for that at Nebraska. And then, suddenly, it was gone.

The Hoosiers lost their down-the-stretch shooting touch, closing 1-for-18 from the field against a Nebraska team that shot 61 percent for the game and scored 17 of the last 18 points Friday night. IU's 85-68 loss ended its four-game winning streak.

"We took shots out of rhythm and gave up some open looks," guard Myles Rice said. "That's a recipe for disaster. We have to be better going down the stretch."

IU dropped to 8-3 overall, 1-1 in the Big Ten while playing its first true road game. It lost its fourth straight contest to Nebraska (7-2, 1-1).

"They made shots," coach Mike Woodson said, "but we have to be better defensively. We work on defense. I know defense wins, especially when you're not making shots. Tonight, Nebraska had it both ways. – they made shots and we weren't good defensively."

The Cornhuskers took away IU's inside scoring, forcing the Hoosiers into a perimeter approach that resulted in a season-high 35 3-point attempts. It was the most 3-pointers ever attempted during Woodson's four-year run as the Hoosiers' head coach. Indiana made eight of them.

"I was proud of the looks we got," Woodson said. "They doubled us. You can't force it down there. We sacrificed, got the ball outside and had good looks. We just missed shots."

Forward Malik Reneau and center Oumar Ballo combined for 20 points on just 10 total shots. They had just three points in the second half.

Guard Myles Rice had 14 second-half points and 20 overall. He added four steals.

"He played well," Woodson said. "He kept us afloat in the second half."

Added Rice: "I saw when we were in transition it was a chance to get easy looks at the rim. The flow of the game was there for me to attack downhill."

IU had no answer for Nebraska guard Brice Williams, who totaled 30 points, six rebounds, and five assists. He was a major reason why the Cornhuskers shot better than 60 percent the entire game.

"He was getting downhill, getting to the free throw line," Woodson said. "He made a couple of tough shots. We had no defensive presence to start the game. We have to get that fixed. You have to establish yourself from a defensive standpoint."

A slow first two minutes put IU in an 8-0 hole and saw swingman Mackenzie Mgbako head to the bench with two fouls before guard Trey Galloway hit a 3-pointer. Nebraska hit its first five shots for a 13-3 lead to force a Woodson timeout three minutes into the game.

A pair of Rice steals and a layup, plus a Reneau dunk, helped the Hoosiers score five straight points. Still, Nebraska led 17-10 after five minutes by hitting its first seven shots.

A Ballo free throw, a Reneau free throw, and a Bryson Tucker 3-pointer got IU within 17-15. A Luke Goode 3-pointer got the Hoosiers within a point at 19-18.

A second Goode 3-pointer gave IU a 23-19 lead. Nebraska countered with consecutive 3-pointers to regain the lead by two points. Galloway's second 3-pointer put the Hoosiers back in front.

A Ballo follow-up basket off a Galloway miss gave IU a 31-29 lead. It pushed ahead 35-32, then 37-33. Nebraska rallied for a 44-41 halftime lead.

The second half opened with a Nebraska dunk and an Indiana missed 3-pointer. Then Reneau went briefly to the bench with his third foul. Galloway hit a 3-pointer off Goode's hustle play.

Nebraska surged ahead 58-49. Consecutive Rice baskets helped the Hoosiers fight back. He added a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer as part of a personal 11-0 run to get IU withing 62-60. Guard Kanaan Carlyle then tied it with a jumper.

Nebraska inched ahead 68-64. A Goode 3-pointer drew the Hoosiers within a point at 68-67. The Cornhuskers responded by scoring 10 straight points to take control they never lost.

"Nebraska played great," Woodson said, "but we let it go down the stretch. This is something we have to grow from. It's tough on the road when you can't make plays down the stretch."