Indiana University
18-13,10-10Big Ten
Michigan State
18-13,10-10Big Ten
IU Outlasts Spartans, 65-64, on Senior Day
3/10/2024 7:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Xavier Johnson grabbed the rebound and raced down the court, not to score, but to celebrate.
This would truly be a Senior Day to remember.
The clock hit zero, the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall crowd roared at ear-drum busting levels and with exhausted bodies strewn all over Branch McCracken Court, the scoreboard flashed this Sunday afternoon truth:
Indiana 65, Michigan State 64.
The game reflected the Hoosier rollercoaster season -- dominate, struggle, persevere. They built a 17-point lead, fell behind by seven, then rallied late for the third time in the four games.
"This is a different team," Johnson said. "The old team would have quit. Now we take a punch, we want to hit back and win. It's March."
In those closing seconds with a one-point lead, a younger Johnson would have gone for the spectacular dunk. The senior version, steeled by six years of college experience and multiple injuries, played for another day.
"I was trying not to get hurt," he said. "I was thinking, I don't want to miss any more games."
So Johnson embraced the emotional aftermath.
"It was tears of joy. I battled the whole year mentally and physically.
"Those final seconds, thinking it's my last (regular-season home) game. It's crazy, from where I started to where I finished.
"It's been a difficult year. I still have to push. I got to the finish line, but we're not quite there. We want to finish the right way."
Three ties and three lead changes in the final seven minutes only hint at the passion from both teams. For IU, it came without senior Trey Galloway, who tweaked a knee early in the first half and never returned.
Fellow senior Anthony Leal replaced him.
"I was determined to play the seniors," coach Mike Woodson said. "It was their night. X and Leal were staying in there no matter what.
"It's tough losing a key player like Gallo. He's help us in so many ways.
We hung in there. We got the big stop coming down the stretch and the rebound to secure the win."
Center Kel'el Ware was again an unstoppable force with 28 points and 13 rebounds, and if he only made one of his six free throw attempts, he made the one that mattered most:
The last one. The game winner.
What was he thinking in that moment?
"Don't think, shoot," he said with a smile.
Forwards Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako combined for 25 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Only two other Hoosiers scored -- Galloway (five points) and Johnson (three).
IU's full-throttle pace was highlighted by a first-half sequence in which Leal twice stopped Spartan shooters in transition, Ware rebounded and threw a strike to a streaking Reneau for a layup, and Leal hustled his way to couple of crisp passes that led to a basket. That helped the Hoosiers build leads as large as 17.
Then, when Michigan State (18-13, 10-10) rallied for a seven-point second half lead, the Hoosiers pounded the Spartans inside and outside to wipe it out.
"We have four wins in a row," Galloway said. "Who knows where it will take us? We have a lot left to prove."
IU will enter this week's Big Ten tourney in Minneapolis with an 18-13 record, 10-10 in the conference, a four-game winning streak and a sense that maybe postseason magic is just ahead.
"We're playing as well as any team in the country," Woodson said. "We'll take it a game at a time and see where it leads us."
The limp didn't hide the heart. A banged-up knee limited Galloway to those five points, plus three rebounds in just seven minutes, but not his impact, or commitment.
He's returning for a fifth season.
"These four years have been the best time of my life," he said during Senior Day post-game festivities. "Every moment has been special. I wouldn't trade them for anything, but I don't think it's quite time for me to leave. I'll be back next year to play for the best coach and best program in the country."
Galloway also said he'll be ready for the Big Ten tourney.
Leal also said he'll return for a fifth season. During his post-game speech, he voiced support for Woodson and his staff.
"There's no other coach I would rather trust than Coach Woodson. There's no other university I want to represent. We're going to run it back next year."
After six years, Johnson is finally out of eligibility. He thanked Woodson for believing in him and for pushing him.
"It's been six long years, and this was the hardest one. I'm still fighting. It's been a joy to be here. I cherish everything about this building."
Walker, who transferred from Miami of Florida last spring, also expressed gratitude and appreciation for his time as a Hoosier.
Woodson acknowledged the seniors' contributions.
"This is tough for me. All four of you are special to me.
"Whatever you decide you want to do, once you leave here, you'll always have Mike Woodson to lean on."
As for their support of him, Woodson added, "It means a lot. We've been through the battles together."
Galloway had gone five straight games without making a 3-pointer, going 0-for-11 in that stretch. That meant nothing on Sunday. He opened the game with a 3-pointer. Mgbako also had one as IU jumped to a 12-3 lead in the first five minutes. Michigan State hit just one of its first seven shots.
Johnson, Leal and Walker entered the game and IU kept rolling. Five straight points from Ware and an Mgbako 3-pointer pushed the Hoosiers ahead 20-5, then 24-7.
Then Michigan State, behind guard Tyson Walker, who finished with 30 points, closed the gap.
In a furious final minute of the first half, Ware missed a pair of three throws, Michigan State hit a transition 3-pointer, IU had a turnover, the Spartans had a rebound basket and Leal missed a shot under heavy contact for a 34-29 halftime score. Reneau, Mgbako and Ware combined for 29 points. Galloway had the other five.
Michigan State hit four 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the second half and built a 43-36 lead.
IU responded behind Ware and Reneau, closing to within a point at 45-44. Consecutive 3-pointers from Mgbako and Johnson pushed the Hoosiers ahead 56-55 with 7:42 left.
Ware and Reneau baskets gave IU a 60-57 lead. The Hoosiers ratcheted up the defense to force a shot-clock violation. Still, the Spartans tied it at 60-60. Reneau and Ware followed with baskets. Michigan State tied it each time.
Ware's free throw, after missing his first five, put the Hoosiers ahead 65-64 with 14.5 seconds. They needed a stop.
Mission accomplished.
"At the end, we went to the bigs a lot," Johnson said, "and they made the plays. They made the right plays. As a result, we won."
Added Woodson: "It's tough playing (Michigan State coach Tom Izzo's) teams. They play hard. They force you to play for 40 minutes."
