#14 Indiana University Women’s Basketball perfect first quarter results in 21-point win over Michigan
The #14 Indiana Hoosiers dominated start to finish in an 80-59 win over the Michigan Wolverines Thursday Night in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. After a 2-2 tie the Hoosiers used a perfect first quarter to lead 36-17 at the end of the first quarter. The Hoosiers were 13-13 from the field, 6-6 from three-point range, and 4-6 from the free throw line; Sydney Parrish scored 14 points including 3 three pointers. Sara Scalia added 11 points with 3 three pointers, and Mackenize Holmes scored 8 first quarter points.
“I had no idea that we were prefect, I was really enjoying the pace, sharing the ball but nothing really surprises me with this team’s ability to make shots” Indiana Head Coach Teri Moren said after the game.
The Hoosiers hit their first two field goals in the second quarter going a perfect 15-15 from the field which is something that has not been seen since 1999 that a division 1 team has made their first 15 shots to start the game. The 36 first quarter points was the most points in a quarter since February 2022. The Hoosiers did not have a field goal for last 2:51 of the second quarter and Michigan outscored the Hoosiers 17-15 in the second quarter as the Hoosiers went into the locker room 51-34. Indiana was 17-21 from the field for 81%, 6-9 from three-point range for 67% and 11-18 from the free throw line for 61%. Sydney Parrish and Mackenize Holmes led the Hoosiers with 14 first half points apiece and 11 points from Sara Scalia.
In the Second Half the Hoosiers went on a 6-0 run with back-to-back three pointers from Scalia and Garzon as the Hoosiers led 62-36 with 5:14 left in the third quarter. Indiana struggled with no field goals and three turnovers in a three minute and eleven second stretch when Scalia ended the scoring drought. The Hoosiers led 68-48 to end the third quarter as IU outscored Michigan 17-14. In the fourth quarter the Hoosiers outscored Michigan 12-11 as the Hoosiers had another drought of not scoring a field goal for over five minutes and had to battle foul trouble late in the game. “We have had moments where there has been frustration, but we have always had the one game mentality and what’s ahead of us” Moren said after the game. Moren added “I hope in the next few days we continue to improve”.
Mackenize Holmes finished with 20 points on 7-10 from the field and 6-10 from the free throw line. The Gorham, Maine native has scored 2,150 career points and is now 215 points away from breaking Tyra Buss’s scoring record of 2,364 points from 2014-2018. Sara Scalia scored 16 points on 4-10 from the three-point line, 5-12 from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line. Sydney Parrish added 14 points on 3-4 from the three-point line, 5-6 from the field and 1-2 from the free throw line. The Hoosiers finished 26-45 from the field for 57%, 9-19 from three-point range for 47% and 19-29 from the free throw line for 65%. Indiana pulled down 30 rebounds, dished out 17 assists, 3 blocks, 3 steals and committed 14 turnovers. The Hoosiers scored 34 points in the paint and 15 points off the bench. The Hoosiers inside outside combination was on point in the first half and that makes the Hoosiers a tough team game in and game out.
Lelia Phelia scored 23 points to lead Michigan as she was the only player in double figures for the Wolverines. Michigan finished 24-58 from the field for 41%, 1-9 from three-point range for 11% and 10-18 from the free throw line for 55%. The Wolverines pulled down 27 rebounds, dished out 7 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks and committed 10 turnovers. Michigan is 11-4 and 2-1 in the Big Ten and Hosts Minnesota Next Tuesday.
Indiana is 12-1 and 3-0 in the Big Ten with a big road trip to Lincoln Nebraska on Sunday afternoon to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Hoosiers are on an 11-game winning streak are looking to keep pace with Iowa who is 3-0 in conference play and road trip coming to Iowa City on January 13. Indiana leads the all-time series 50-31 and have won three in a row and five of the last six meetings with Michigan.
The Hoosiers have already sold out the February 22, game against Iowa which will be the second sellout in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, but Head Coach Teri Moren says there is more work to do. “My Goal is to have more sellouts” Moren Said after the game. “I want to see people in the rafters, so we still have work to do”.
Nebraska hands Indiana Men’s Basketball its first Big Ten Loss
The Nebraska Cornhuskers handed the Indiana Hoosiers their first loss in the Big Ten Wednesday Night at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln Nebraska 86-70. The Hoosiers are 10-4 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten and host Ohio State Saturday Night at 8pm. Nebraska is 12-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. Nebraska snaps a seven-game losing streak to the Hoosiers dating back to 2019 and they snap a three-game losing streak to the Hoosiers at home winning for the first time in Lincoln since 2018 as Indiana leads the all-time series 19-8.
Keisei Tominaga scored a season high 28 points to lead Nebraska. The Senior from Japan went 9-15 from the field, 4-10 from three-point range and 6-7 from the free throw line along with a rebound and assist. Tominaga scored 18 points in the second half and his parents along with his sister made the trip from Japan to see him play and once he got going, he was hard to stop. Brice Williams added 15 points, Jamarques Lawrence scored 12 points and C.J. Wilcher added 11 points off the Bench. The Huskers finished 27-59 from the field for 45%, 12-32 from three-point range for 37% and 20-26 from the free throw line for 77%. Nebraska pulled down 29 rebounds, dished out 15 assists, 15 steals, no blocks and committed 8 turnovers. The Huskers were locked in on the defensive end as the Hoosiers committed 19 turnovers and got Freshman Mackenize Mgbako in foul trouble as he picked up two fouls in the first 4 minutes and 39 seconds of the game.
Kel’el Ware led the Hoosiers with 20 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. Ware missed the Kennesaw State game with a COVID-19 Illness but he was able to make his presence felt early scoring the first basket of the game and catching the ball in traffic and being able to finish. Malik Reneau scored 14 points and pulled down 6 rebounds and Trey Galloway added 10 points. Sixth year Senior Xavier Johnson returned for the first time since injuring his foot in November against Harvard in Indianapolis. Johnson started and played 14 minutes as he did not score with 3 assists, 2 rebounds, an assist but committed 4 turnovers. Freshman Gabe Cupps played 26 minutes off the bench scoring 5 points, dishing out 3 assists and did not commit a turnover for the second game in a row and fifth time this season.
The Hoosiers finished the game 24-51 from the field for 47%, 9-18 from three-point range for 50% and 13-19 from the free throw line for 68%. The Hoosiers pulled down 36 rebounds, dished out 19 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks. Indiana was settling for shots early and forcing passes as the turnovers added up early and the foul trouble started in the first half with Mgbako and Reneau picking up two fouls in the first half. The Hoosiers led 9-4 with 17:01 left in the first half. The Huskers led 11-9 with 15:21 left using a 7-0 run as Trey Galloway’s layup with 14:52 left tied the game at 11-11. The Hoosiers took the lead 13-11 as Galloway scored on a jumper but Juwan Gray tied the game at 13-13 with 13:51 left as Nebraska took the lead on a Sam Hoiberg layup and outscored the Hoosiers 29-18 the rest of the half with Nebraska leading 44-31 going into the locker room.
The Cornhuskers outscored Indiana 45-37 in the second half and never trailed the rest of the way. Nebraska led by 11 points with 19:11 left and Indiana got within eight points on a Malik Reneau Three pointer with 13:12 left to make it 55-47. Brice Williams drained a three pointer to put the Huskers up 11 with 12:48 left and the Hoosiers could not cut the deficit. Nebraska led by 20 points 73-53 at the 6:59 mark and increased the lead to 22 points after Tominaga made a layup with 5:23 left to make it 80-58. Indiana Head Coach Mike Woodson said on his post-game radio interview with Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer “I always make it clear when we go on the road, you got to defend and not turn it over and It was the opposite”. Indiana will have a quick turnaround Saturday Night facing an Ohio State team who held on to beat Rutgers 76-72 Wednesday Night in Columbus.
Indiana University Football Lands Old Dominion Defensive Back Shawn Asbury II for 2024
Indiana Football received another commitment from the transfer portal on Thursday, as Old Dominion transfer safety Shawn Asbury II has committed to play for the Hoosiers via his X/Twitter. Asbury II began his college career at Boston College after committing as a three-star defensive back. He played one season at Boston College before transferring to Old Dominion where he played two years. Asbury II is coming off a great season where he was named a Sun Belt Honorable Mention after making 93 total tackles including six tackles for loss. He also had four pass breakups and an interception in 12 games last year. In his two seasons with Old Dominion, Asbury II played in 23 games and totaled 125 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and six pass breakups.
The 5-foot-9 195-pound safety has one year of eligibility remaining. Asbury II played against new Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti twice while at Old Dominion, losing both. In their matchup last season, Asbury II made six tackles and had an interception in the 3-point loss to James Madison. The news of Asbury II’s commitment comes shortly after it was announced defensive back Phillip Dunnam would not be returning to Indiana football.
Indiana University Volleyball adds Missouri Transfer Madi Sell for the Spring Semester
Indiana Volleyball Head Coach Steve Aird announced the addition of middle blocker Madi Sell to the program as a transfer from the University of Missouri on Thursday morning. The 6-foot-3 Sell, a native of Ballwin, Missouri, played in 34 matches across two seasons with the Tigers and will have two years of eligibility remaining in Bloomington. “We are excited to add Madi to the Indiana Volleyball family,” Aird said. “Madi had a fantastic prep career and was one of the top players in the ’22 class entering her time in college. She had the opportunity to learn from some excellent college coaches and will arrive in Bloomington excited for this opportunity.”
During two seasons in Columbia, Sell totaled 102 kills and 82 blocks while hitting at a .275 clip offensively in the SEC. Her freshman year in 2022 saw her record 74 total blocks and 96 kills while playing in 27 matches (103 sets). She holds career highs of 10 kills (at South Dakota, 2022) and seven total blocks (at Kansas State, 2022) Coming out of high school, Sell was the No. 66 overall recruit in Prep Volleyball’s Class of 2022 rankings and the No. 2 recruit in the state of Missouri. She was a three-time first team all-conference performer out of Marquette High School and totaled over 500 kills and 200 blocks in her prep career. “I’m really excited about the people at IU, and everyone’s will to grind day in and day out for each other,” Sell said. “Competing in arguably the most challenging conference in college volleyball is something I’m looking forward to.”
Sell joins a group of young and dynamic middle blockers at IU for the 2024 seasons. To-be sophomore Ava Vickers and incoming freshman Ella Boersema give the Hoosiers three viable options out of the middle. As a whole, IU returns veteran players in Morgan Geddes, Camryn Haworth and Mady Saris. Sell joins a junior class that features outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles and opposite hitter Avry Tatum. Sell will join the Hoosiers at the beginning of the spring semester and be immediately eligible to participate in practice and spring matches. She, and incoming freshman outside hitter Reese Hazelton, will be IU’s two additions in January. The Ballwin, Mo. native will be just the second athlete from the state of Missouri to play for IU’s volleyball program. She will wear No. 1 for the Hoosiers. “She is a hardworking and competitive athlete that is very much aligned with the type of person we want in the program,” Aird said. “She comes from a great family and has great support. With most of our roster returning from an exciting ’23 season, Madi is an important addition as we enter spring training.”
Indiana University Women’s Soccer hires Jennfier Wandt as Assistant and Goalkeeper Coach
Head Coach Erwin van Bennekom announces the hire of former professional and All-Big 12 goalkeeper Jennifer Wandt as the Indiana women’s soccer assistant/goalkeeper coach. I’m thrilled to announce the addition of Jennifer Wandt to our coaching staff as the goalkeeper and assistant coach,” van Bennekom said. “Jennifer brings with her an illustrious playing background, having played at the highest levels both collegiately and in Europe.”
Wandt spent the 2023 season as an assistant goalkeeper coach under Marisa Kresge at Illinois State. “Jennifer’s ability to develop and recruit goalkeepers sets her apart, making her an invaluable asset to our team. Beyond her professional expertise, it was Jennifer’s ambition and, most notably, her mindset that resonated deeply with Tim Verschuren and I,” van Bennekom said. “It is this alignment of vision and values that solidified our decision to bring her on board. We eagerly anticipate Jennifer’s contributions and are confident that she will hit the ground running and help continue to elevate the program.”
Before beginning her coaching career, Wandt played two years at the professional level with the Trelleborgs FF Swedish football club and was a standout goalkeeper at Baylor University. “I am thrilled to join the Indiana coaching staff this spring,” Wandt said. “I am grateful to Erwin for giving me this opportunity. I am excited and ready to continue to develop the goalkeepers at this incredible institution and to be a part of this program’s success on and off the field.”
The Brookefield, Wisconsin native ended her career with the Bears as the all-time career and season record holder for shutouts and wins. She leads the program with goalkeeper minutes played in a season and holds impressive list of honors with an All-Big 12 Second Team selection as a senior in 2020. Wandt posted a .896 save percentage, six shutouts and a career best .506 goals against average. She also earned All-Big 12 Freshman team honors in 2017 and an All-Big 12 Second team selection in 2018 as she helped lead the Bears to an NCAA Elite 8 appearances in both seasons. Wandt was a four-time Academic All-Big 12 selection, including a First Team honor in 2020. Wandt graduated in 2020 from Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in sport management.
Career Accolades:
2020 All-Big 12 Second Team
2020 Academic All-Big 12 First Team
2019 Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (Fall & Spring)
2019 Baylor Dean’s List (Spring)
2019 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (9/24)
2019 Academic All-Big 12 Second Team
2018 NSCAA/United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team
2018 All-Big 12 Second Team
2018 Academic All-Big 12 Second Team
2018 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (9/18)
2018 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (10/2)
2017 United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Third Team
2017 Big 12 All-Freshman Goalkeeper
2017 Big 12 Freshman of the Week (10/17)
2017 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
2017 Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (Spring)
Indiana University Baseball’s Devin Taylor named to Perfect Game Preseason Second Team All American Team
Devin Taylor, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was tabbed as a Second Team Preseason All-American by Perfect Game as announced on Thursday afternoon. The organization chose its First, Second and Third Team Preseason All-Americans just over a month out from the beginning of the season. Taylor was among three outfielders on the second team, joined by fellow sophomores Cam Cannarella (Clemson) and Jace LaViolette (Texas A&M).
The sophomore outfielder enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023, earning Freshman All-American honors after compiling 16 home runs, 59 RBI’s and a .315 batting average in 55 appearances for the Hoosiers. Taylor, a Cincinnati native, became the third freshman in school history to earn First Team All-Big Ten honors in his first season of college (Larry Blackwell – 1979, Joey DeNato – 2011). A three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week last season, Taylor’s 16 home runs were second most in program history by a freshman. Only teammate Carter Mathison (19 in 2022) hit more as a freshman for the Hoosiers. Taylor is among a core of five position players that return for the Hoosiers in 2024 which also features juniors Mathison, Brock Tibbitts and Josh Pyne as well as a fellow sophomore Tyler Cerny. IU begins the 2024 season in Myrtle Beach (Feb. 16-18) with contests against Duke, Coastal Carolina and George Mason. All four teams in the ‘Baseball at the Beach’ event made the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
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