Quick thoughts on the 69-63 win against Florida Gulf Coast:
How it happened
After a strong performance against NAIA Marian on Friday night, Indiana was unfocused offensively heading into the game against Florida Gulf Coast. The Hoosiers had no flow on offense, making almost as many free throws (18) as field goals (20) in the first 20 minutes. Unfortunately for Indiana, the shots weren’t falling from the line. The Hoosiers shot a dismal 10-for-18 from the field in the first half. Indiana had several extended scoring losses in the first half, including one that lasted longer than seven minutes. Kel’el Ware was a bright spot, totaling eight points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots in 17 minutes. Defensively, Indiana allowed five made 3-pointers but limited the Eagles to just 0.82 points per possession.
Indiana was better offensively early in the second half, scoring 10 points in the first 4:14 to extend a four-point lead to 38-34. Malik Reneau had six of those ten points. But Florida Gulf Coast had an answer, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game at 40:13:52 minutes to play. The Eagles extended their lead to 48-42 with 10:54 left after Dallion Johnson hit a 3-pointer. But Indiana responded with a 10-0 run to take a 52-48 lead with 8:41 left, forcing Pat Chambers to call a timeout. The run ended 14-0 before Florida Gulf Coast scored on a jump shot from Johnson with 5:52 left. The Hoosiers extended their lead to 11 on a 3-pointer from Gabe Cupps with 3:58 left. However, Florida’s Gulf Coast didn’t give up. The Eagles used a 42-second 8-0 run to get within two, 65-63. Xavier Johnson made a free throw with 28.2 seconds left to give Indiana a 66-63 lead. After a missed 3-pointer by Chase Johnston at Florida Gulf Coast, Johnson went back to the line and made a pair to make it 68-63 Hoosiers.
Outstanding artists
Ware recorded a double-double in his IU debut, finishing the game with 13 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocked shots and two steals in 36 minutes. Trey Galloway finished with a team-high 16 points, Malik Reneau added 15 and Xavier Johnson had 14 points in 34 minutes. And the defense and spark that Cupps provided down the stretch changed the game for the Hoosiers.
Statistics that stand out
Despite holding a 27-point lead outside the 3-point line, Indiana dominated the scoring (30-18) and also outscored Florida Gulf Coast by 17 points from the free throw line.
Final IU individual stats
Final pace-free statistics
Call for a meeting after the game
Submitted to: Florida Gulf Coast Eagles