Indiana University Women’s Basketball Coach Teri Moren has spoken about the strength of her bench all season long. Moren has often mentioned that she holds every player on her team to the same high expectations. The entire year, we have witnessed the depth of the Lady Hoosiers, but their contributions in the NCAA tournament should not be undervalued.
Last evening, IU received amazing minutes from the bench in their 73-70 upset over the Mercado Region #1 seeded Wolfpack of North Carolina State, but perhaps none more important than the 3 minutes and 24 seconds it received from Freshman Forward Kiandra Browne at the end of the game. Browne was given the green light after AP All American Sophomore Forward MacKenzie Holmes fouled out with almost 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the game. IU had an 8 point lead at the time, although momentum had shifted toward the Wolfpack, and the lead was diminishing.
Browne played with incredible heart over the waning minutes, challenging 6’5″ All American Center Elissa Cunane in the paint. She scored a very important and acrobatic bucket after almost 2 1/2 minutes of IU offensive drought. She later dove to the ground in a scrum, to recover the ball off of a rebound so IU could maintain an important possession. Browne also attacked the rim, drawing a foul of NC State superstar Jada Boyd with just over a minute remaining. And then on the final drive of the game with 12 seconds left and a 3 point IU lead, Browne played strong defense and helped to secure the lane from strong push to the basket, forcing NC State to kick it back out and put up a desperation 3 point attempt to send the game into overtime, which was off the mark.
“She was ready for that moment,” said Coach Moren on Browne’s final minutes of play last night. Moren continued to discuss Kiandra’s approach to the game and her role with the team, “I love that kid and appreciate her for what she has been through this season.” Moren continued to explain that Browne is still not completely healed from a hip injury, but has been playing through the challenge. Coach added that Browne is great to coach and brings forth the attitude of, “whatever you need me to do, I’ll be there.” She exclaimed, “she’s gonna keep getting better, and better, and better!”
The game was a collection of hot runs by each team. NC State started off holding IU to just 8 of 27 from the field in the first quarter, maintaining a 22-17 lead. The tenacious defense of Indiana kept it from being more lopsided at the end of the first 10 minutes of play, and afforded the Hoosiers time to get into their rhythm. Indiana went into the locker room at halftime with a one point lead.
The forcing of turnovers was a recurring theme, as the Wolfpack turned the ball over 17 times, 10 of which were on steals. Indiana successfully slowed down the Wolfpack’s season-long strength of inside-outside basketball, where they work the ball into Cunane and free up the perimeter shooters. The Hoosier defense was incredibly strong, but IU was successful in finding ways to score, as well. The Hoosiers played their game with a very patient offense, waiting for their shot and moving the ball around with ease.
Coach Moren said, “it feels like we have 3 point guards in the game at all times. The ball movement over the last 2 weeks has gone to a whole new level.”
Moren described the feeling just after the program’s historic victory, “We’re over the moon right now. One word . . . Toughness!” Moren continued by suggesting that this group is not quite done, “We want to stay in the state of Texas a little bit longer until we accomplish what we came here to do.”
Indiana will bring their toughness to the final game of the Mercado Region on Monday night, as the Hoosiers take on the Arizona Wildcats at 9pm, televised on ESPN.