Indiana University
14-10,5-8Big Ten
Michigan
18-5,10-2Big Ten
Second Half Rally Falls Short
2/8/2025 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Fifth-year senior guard Anthony Leal buried a half-court, game-ending 3-pointer that, in an alternate universe, would have delivered a watershed Indiana victory.
In this universe, on a Saturday afternoon with so much at stake at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, it meant a 70-67 loss to top-25 Michigan. The Hoosiers' seventh loss in eight games came a day after IU announced head coach Mike Woodson would retire after the season.
"It's been emotional dealing with young men, young kids, trying to figure it out," Woodson said. "We have seven more games to play. My job is to push them to realize they can still win."
IU (14-10 overall, 5-8 in the Big Ten) trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half, then picked up the second-half intensity with sixth-year center Oumar Ballo and redshirt sophomore guard Myles Rice on the bench, junior forward Malik Reneau the inside presence, Leal and fifth-year senior Trey Galloway the guards, and senior Luke Goode and sophomore Mackenzie Mgbako as forwards.
With four minutes left, the score was tied at 59-59, and an upset was within reach.
"I went with guys, senior guys, to win the game," Woodson said. "They played like seniors. They just fell a little short."
During the rally, IU's defensive ferocity forced Michigan to miss dunks and fumble away rebounds. Mgbako became offensively unstoppable. Leal, Goode and Ballo made clutch plays.
It wasn't enough.
"I give our guys a lot of credit," Woodson said. "They could have folded. They fought in the second half.
"Michigan scores a lot of points. They only scored 27 points in the second half. We made a nice adjustment defensively. Our guys fought. Michigan was the better team."
Leal's game-ending half-court shot, something he constantly practices, even during pre-game warmups, left him with 12 points, only the second time in his five-year IU career he's scored in double figures. He had 13 last year against Iowa.
Reneau played his best game since returning from a knee injury. He totaled 16 points. Mgbako had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
IU made more 3-point baskets (6-5), had more assists (14-8) and fewer turnovers (7-12) than Michigan (18-5, 10-2).
Again, it wasn't enough.
"We haven't been the same team for a while," said Woodson, referring to IU's 13-3 start to the season. "For whatever the reason, we dug ourselves a hole. It hasn't been the same. I did a terrible job of putting them in the best position to win."
The Wolverines tandem of 7-footers -- Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin -- combined for 38 points and 17 rebounds. They are coached by former IU basketball manager Dusty May.
A Ballo basket and a Leal 3-pointer produced an early 5-5 tie. Michigan's 3-point firepower delivered an 11-0 responding run. IU came back with an 11-0 run -- Reneau, Ballo, Goode and freshman forward Bryson Tucker all contributed -- for a 16-16 tie nine minutes into the first half.
The Wolverines shot their way to a 35-19 lead. Four straight Reneau points kept the Hoosiers within halftime range at 43-27.
Galloway opened the second half with a 3-point field goal. A Leal 3-pointer and an Mgbako jumper got IU within 49-40 five minutes. A pair of Mgbako free throws made it 51-44 at the 13-minute mark. A three-point Reneau play got IU within 53-47. Mgbako followed with a 3-pointer and a layup to cut Michigan's lead to 53-52 score with nine minutes left.
The Wolverines switched to a 2-3 zone, picked up their offensive pace and pushed ahead 59-52. Leal made a free throw and then a layup over the 7-foot Wolf. Galloway scored. Goode hit a pair of free throws. The score was tied at 59-59 with four minutes left.
Michigan dunked then drove for a layup. Mgbako scored. The Wolverines got a three-point play. Reneau drove for a layup.
Trailing 66-63, the Hoosiers had 24 seconds to win or force overtime. Mgbako missed a 3-pointer. Michigan missed the front end of a bonus. Galloway made a free throw. The Wolverines' Wolfe made four-straight clinching free throws. Leal tossed in a half-court 3-pointer to leave IU wondering about what might have been.
"Emotionally, these kids are taking a beating," Woodson said. "It's my job to lift their heads up and keep them moving in the right direction."
Indiana's 5-8 Big Ten record jeopardizes its chances to qualify for next month's conference tourney. Only the top 15 teams in the 18-team league qualify. Penn State and Washington are the only teams with more conference losses the Hoosiers. Both have nine.
"We're still trying to play in the Big Ten Tournament," Woodson said. "We have to start winning some games to do that."
