ANN ARBOR, Michigan — Indiana’s women’s basketball is 18-1 for the first time in program history after beating No. 13 Michigan 92-83 away with the fifth-ranked win of the season.
A six-man Hoosier, led by senior forward Mackenzie Holmes, scored in double figures for the ninth 25-point, 10-rebound double-double of the season. Senior guard Sara Scalia also scored a season-high 19 points.
Indiana head coach Terry Mollen said, “There’s not much to disappoint.
“I thought our kids were following the game plan. They didn’t panic. We knew there would be ebbs and flows. ) knew to run. We were going to run.”
The standout player tonight was certainly Scalia Field.
“We keep pouring on her, giving her good juice and telling her to keep shooting,” Moren said. Despite that, she was still able to make an impact on the game.”
Scalia said she knew her teammates had confidence in her abilities, but it wasn’t easy that the match didn’t last long. She kept getting reps in practice and was told to keep going.
“It’s become an open look,” said Scalia. “Maybe that’s where it starts. Then it means having confidence in your shot and continuing to shoot. Tonight it paid off.”
The Hoosiers also won the board 41-24 fight, 14 of which were offensive rebounds.
“We knew controlling the board was going to be number one,” Mohren said.
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Another key to the game was freshman forward Lily Meister when Holmes was in foul trouble. Meister had four points, six rebounds and a career-high two blocks.
“I was tickled by her,” Moren said.
In the first frame, Indiana had a nice gap with just under four minutes to play as junior guard Sydney Parrish hit a triple and fellow junior guard Chloe Moore McNeil moved Holmes to a 16–10 lead. built.
“We have no problem hitting balls with her, but she’s also been a great facilitator, someone who’s willing to be a passer,” Moren said of Holmes.
Michigan came back within two, but freshman guard Yarden Garzon and Scalia connected from deep as the Hoosiers maintained a 10-point lead before the second quarter.
The Hoosiers scored seven in the second quarter after Holmes scored 15 and Scalia scored 12 in the first half.
The Hoosiers continued to ease their scoring lead by 17 points from Scalia’s third 3-pointer in the third frame with just under four minutes remaining.
Michigan had a run of its own within six points in the fourth, but Indiana didn’t panic as senior guard Grace Berger hit two signature jumpers to bring the gap closer to 10 points.
Mollen said one of the most special things about her team is that they don’t panic during tight games. Their maturity and veteran status have contributed to their win, and they definitely won’t be at a disadvantage in her next Big Ten matchup.
Next, the Hoosiers return home at 8:30 PM ET on Thursday night to face No. 2 Ohio State.
- HOOSIERS – WOLVERINES MATCH UP NOTES On Monday, the No. 6 Indiana women’s basketball team will head to Ann Arbor to face No. 14 Michigan State, their No. 4 opponent of the season. Details on how to view and match are in the story.click here
- Watch Terry Mollen and team celebrate the greatest coach of all time Watch a few videos of the No. 6 Hoosiers throwing water bottles at Indiana’s women’s basketball head coach Terry Mollen as she became the most winning coach in the history of the program to win the Hoosiers championship for the 189th time. I commend you.click here
- Get Mackenzie Holmes the Ball Indiana women’s basketball forward Mackenzie Holmes posted a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double Wednesday in the Hoosiers’ 83-72 win over Illinois.Shutting down this Gorham, Maine native that dominates the post is a tough task. Click here
