INDIANA HOOSIERS IMPROVE TO 3-0 WITH 87-71 WIN OVER SOUTH CAROLINA
BLOOMINGTON, IN – The Indiana Hoosiers showcased their growing strength on Saturday, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 87-71 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, marking their third consecutive victory to start the season.
Leading the charge for Indiana was redshirt sophomore Myles Rice, who delivered an impressive 23-point performance. Displaying his scoring versatility, Rice excelled in both perimeter shooting and driving to the basket, while also focusing on team play. “It’s just within a flow,” Rice remarked postgame, highlighting his commitment to making the right plays for his teammates.
In the paint, Oumar Ballo had a standout performance defensively, gathering a game-high 13 rebounds and blocking six shots, solidifying Indiana’s dominance under the basket, even though he only scored seven points. His defensive prowess allowed the Hoosiers to maintain control throughout the game.
Indiana demonstrated significant improvements in shooting, going 47.1% from beyond the arc and 81.1% from the free-throw line. Head Coach Mike Woodson expressed confidence in his team’s offensive development, especially with the consistent scoring, maintaining over 80 points in each game this season.
Conversely, South Carolina’s promising star, Collin Murray-Boyles, struggled due to foul trouble, managing only 19 minutes on the court. Indiana’s defensive strategy kept him in check, significantly limiting the Gamecocks’ scoring opportunities.
Despite the win, Coach Woodson acknowledged areas for growth, particularly in offensive execution and defensive resilience. With new faces in the lineup, the Hoosiers are expected to refine their performance as the season progresses.
As Indiana stands at 3-0, the team is eagerly looking forward to continuing their upward trajectory as they aim for a strong season.
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Photo credit www.insidethehall.com
