A 66-53 loss at the hands of the Arizona Wildcats will end the amazing Lady Hoosier season. Although premature of the self described goals set out for themselves this past Fall, the team accomplished what no other in program history had been able to . . . they became Elite.
Half of those 66 points were put up by Arizona’s Senior Guard Aari McDonald, who hit 12 for 20 from the field, including 5 from beyond the arc. The All American standout is closing in on 2300 career collegiate points, and Indiana had no answer for the 33 she earned during this match-up.
In all likelihood, there was not an answer to be had, as McDonald was on fire creating her own lanes, splitting through two, three, even four defenders for what she made look like an easy lay-up. And if she was deep in the perimeter with coverage, she simply threw up a 3 pointer, of which she made 5 out of 6 attempts, and another was called off as a 2 point shot because she barely touched the line (by comparison the entire Indiana team went 0-9 in 3-point attempts). When IU became dedicated to applying extra pressure with a double team on McDonald, she found the wide open teammate, and they were hot from downtown as well.
“Credit Arizona,” said IU Coach Teri Moren, “they are really, really good defensively and made us pay with the three’s we gave up . . . they hit them.”
In contrast, the Hoosiers worked hard to find decent looks, but could not convert, especially in the fourth quarter where they were outscored 20-9. That fourth quarter was all the difference; the game was tied with 7 minutes remaining, and that is when the things would completely unravel. Defensive stops were more challenging, and Arizona had slowed down the Hoosier transitional push. It appeared as if fatigue had set in for Indiana. Overall, the game was fast paced and physical, and while the Hoosiers did a fantastic job of maintaining ball possession, something not many teams have been able to accomplish against this tournament leading team in takeaways, they were not able to find the necessary points. As Coach Moren described in her post game comments, it was simply not the Hoosier’s night.
But do not allow the final score to deceive, The Lady Hoosiers gave it heart, and played tough.
“Toughness” has been the word IU Coach Teri Moren has used week in and week out to describe this year’s team, and it applies to the effort last night, even in defeat. When congratulated on their amazing season and asked about how this experience will help in the offseason preparations, Moren offered that this loss will be, “motivation to get to the next game. We will get right back to work,” she said.
“The new bar of expectation has already been set,” said Coach Moren when asked about the hopes for next year. “We will be back!”
“We will be hungry for more,” added Sophomore Forward MacKenie Holmes, one of 4 returning starters from this year’s team. Although it is possible that all 5 will return, considering the NCAA has made exception and granted all student athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the Covid-related restraints of this season. 6th year Senior Point Guard Ali Patberg, the “Heart and Soul of this team,” according to Holmes, could determine to return for a 7th collegiate season and try to accomplish a Final Four which eluded the Hoosiers this year.
Coach Moren credited her staff as being the best in the business, maintaining physical fitness standards and working hard and non-stop to keep the student athletes prepared for their opponents. Additionally, she thanked the fans for all of their support, and appreciates the growing interest in the Indiana Women’s Basketball program. “I think the people of Bloomington have fallen in love with women’s basketball,” Coach Moren very correctly stated!
Following last night’s game, both Grace Berger and MacKenzie Holmes were honored as members of the All-Mercado Region Team.