Indiana University Athletics
Men’s Basketball Blitzes Peru, 115-36
7/21/2026 10:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
LIMA, Peru -- Basketball drama? Not on Tuesday night. Not with Indiana as Team USA dominating Peru 115-36 in its FISU (International University Sports Federation) America Games opener.
The victory showcased a deep and versatile roster, and if it came against an opponent that won't match Big Ten talent, don't disregard the energy and effort.
Coach Darian DeVries didn't as he works to build chemistry and smooth-flowing play on offense and defense.
"The No. 1 thing we talked about before the game was making sure, whatever the scoreboard said, that we're continuing to work on the things we prioritize," DeVries said. "I thought the guys did a good job of that, especially in the second half."
FISU rules limit coaches to using no more than 12 players in a game, and DeVries maximized that opportunity, including playing freshmen Prince-Alexander Moody, Trevor Manhertz and Vaughn Karvala.
Even with a 37-point halftime lead, DeVries said he didn't see much slippage in play.
"Overall, from start to finish, the guys did a good job of staying focused and maintaining and trying to work on the things we thought were important. This is an opportunity and we want to make the most of it."
Team USA opened Group B pool play by starting Markus Burton, Bryce Lindsay, Darren Harris, Trent Sisley, and Aiden Sherrell at VES Sports Centre. The result -- Team USA jumped to a 12-0 lead and then 16-6 and 28-10 after the first quarter. It was 59-22 at halftime and then 90-28 at the end of the third quarter.
"As the first half went on," DeVries said, "we started gambling and got a little aggressive and lacked a little discipline of what we would normally do. But as the game went on, we settled into the things we wanted to establish.
"When you get big leads, guys can start to hunt and take bad shots. Our guys did a good job of continuing to move the ball, share the ball, make plays for one another. Defensively, we stayed sound.
"I'm really pleased with the way the guys approached it and the way they finished."
Former Hoosier Sam Alexis is on the team, but didn't play Tuesday night. The 6-foot-9 Alexis can provide inside size Team USA could use with 7-foot-2 Samet Yigitoglu and 7-foot Clemens Sokolov ineligible for the tournament because they are not American-born players.
Alexis signed a summer league deal with the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder last month. He finished playing on Sunday and arrived in Peru on Tuesday.
"Sam gives us some more versatility without two of our bigs," DeVries said. "Just to be able to sub more and have enough bodies. We were originally going to play six games in eight days and didn't think we had enough bodies for that.
"Having his experience from last year, it's a great opportunity for us to take advantage of him and this trip."
IUHoosiers.com
LIMA, Peru -- Basketball drama? Not on Tuesday night. Not with Indiana as Team USA dominating Peru 115-36 in its FISU (International University Sports Federation) America Games opener.
The victory showcased a deep and versatile roster, and if it came against an opponent that won't match Big Ten talent, don't disregard the energy and effort.
Coach Darian DeVries didn't as he works to build chemistry and smooth-flowing play on offense and defense.
"The No. 1 thing we talked about before the game was making sure, whatever the scoreboard said, that we're continuing to work on the things we prioritize," DeVries said. "I thought the guys did a good job of that, especially in the second half."
FISU rules limit coaches to using no more than 12 players in a game, and DeVries maximized that opportunity, including playing freshmen Prince-Alexander Moody, Trevor Manhertz and Vaughn Karvala.
Even with a 37-point halftime lead, DeVries said he didn't see much slippage in play.
"Overall, from start to finish, the guys did a good job of staying focused and maintaining and trying to work on the things we thought were important. This is an opportunity and we want to make the most of it."
Team USA opened Group B pool play by starting Markus Burton, Bryce Lindsay, Darren Harris, Trent Sisley, and Aiden Sherrell at VES Sports Centre. The result -- Team USA jumped to a 12-0 lead and then 16-6 and 28-10 after the first quarter. It was 59-22 at halftime and then 90-28 at the end of the third quarter.
"As the first half went on," DeVries said, "we started gambling and got a little aggressive and lacked a little discipline of what we would normally do. But as the game went on, we settled into the things we wanted to establish.
"When you get big leads, guys can start to hunt and take bad shots. Our guys did a good job of continuing to move the ball, share the ball, make plays for one another. Defensively, we stayed sound.
"I'm really pleased with the way the guys approached it and the way they finished."
Former Hoosier Sam Alexis is on the team, but didn't play Tuesday night. The 6-foot-9 Alexis can provide inside size Team USA could use with 7-foot-2 Samet Yigitoglu and 7-foot Clemens Sokolov ineligible for the tournament because they are not American-born players.
Alexis signed a summer league deal with the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder last month. He finished playing on Sunday and arrived in Peru on Tuesday.
"Sam gives us some more versatility without two of our bigs," DeVries said. "Just to be able to sub more and have enough bodies. We were originally going to play six games in eight days and didn't think we had enough bodies for that.
"Having his experience from last year, it's a great opportunity for us to take advantage of him and this trip."
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