Quick thoughts on the 65:53 win against Maryland:
How it happened
With Xavier Johnson on the sideline in a boot, Indiana entered Friday’s Big Ten opener against Maryland shorthanded. But the Hoosiers didn’t miss a beat. Indiana quickly jumped out to an 8-2 lead, forcing Kevin Willard to call a timeout with less than four minutes left. Kel’el Ware, as he has done all season, made an impact on both sides. The 7-footer challenged Julian Reese at the rim and showcased his incredible talent at the rim and in the paint. The Hoosiers led by as many as 15 points, 39-24, before settling for a 12-point halftime lead. Mackenzie Mgbako also continued his outstanding performance against Harvard, scoring 11 points in the first half. The Hoosiers scored 1.17 points per possession in the first 20 minutes and held Maryland to 0.82 points per drive while shooting just 42.9 percent.
The Hoosiers maintained their energy early in the second half, extending the lead to 21 points at 52-31 with 14:57 remaining. At 11:01 a.m., Indiana led 58-35 after a layup by Trey Galloway. Indiana’s lead was 19 at the U8 media timeout with 6:53 remaining. A 10-0 run by Maryland brought the Terps within 12 points at the 5:09 mark. But a basket by Ware stopped the run with 4:31 to play, giving the Hoosiers a 63-49 lead. Indiana was never challenged the rest of the game as the Hoosiers improved to 6-1 heading into a road trip to Michigan on Tuesday.
Outstanding artists
Ware’s dominance early in the season continued as he posted a double-double, adding 18 points and 14 rebounds in 33 minutes. Ware was 8 of 12 from the field and also had an assist and a blocked shot. Galloway played his best game of the young season, finishing with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes.
Statistics that stand out
Indiana dominated the game again and beat Maryland 40-26. The Hoosiers also dominated on the glass, as they scored 14 second-chance points and allowed the Terps to make just 24 percent of their misses.
Final IU individual stats
Final pace-free statistics
Call for a meeting after the game
Filed at: Maryland Terrapins