The IU freshman scored 12 of the Hoosiers’ first 19 points before Valparaiso made even a second field goal in IU’s 81-49 victory against the Crusaders.
The Hoosiers move to 2-0 on the season and IU Coach Teri Moren said the offense has been good.
The Hoosiers have scored 196 points through two games, but the defense has been less satisfactory.
“Another really good start for us (and) we got points up on the board fast,” Moren said. “Defensively, I thought we were solid and sound, but we still have a ways to go.”
Buss finished with 22 points in the game, as she continued to justify the hype surrounding her so far this season.
She was last week’s Big Ten Freshman of the Week and started off this week strong as well.
But Buss refused to take too much credit for her success through two games of the season, recognizing her teammates instead.
“I just think that my teammates did a really good job of screening, especially Jenn (Anderson),” Buss said. “And I thought we did a really good job of moving the ball, so I have to give a lot of credit to my teammates.”
Buss also continued to hound opposing guards, finishing with eight steals.
That, combined with her seven against Gardner-Webb during the weekend, ties her for the Big Ten lead through two games with 15.
Moren said Buss has always been a good defender, but her offensive abilities get more attention.
“Tyra is just an overall really good basketball player whether she’s on offense or defense,” Moren said. “She’s not just a great scorer, she’s a competitor. And she’s going to play both sides of the ball.”
Despite their overall dominant performance, the Hoosiers still had moments that showed their youth.
Every Hoosier who entered the game is either a freshman or sophomore.
Coming out after halftime, the Hoosiers scored just two points in the first 2:40 of the second half.
“We were shooting a lot of threes at that point,” IU sophomore Larryn Brooks said.
“We knew that our shot wasn’t falling so she made a big emphasis that we needed to play really good defense, get to the free throw line and get points in the paint.”
The inside scoring came from sophomore Jenn Anderson, who scored IU’s first eight points of the second half.
She finished just a rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
“I demanded the ball more,” Anderson said. “My teammates make fun of me in practice because I get on them to give me the ball. But tonight shows that going against smaller people, it’s hard for them to guard me.”
Moren also felt Anderson provided the Hoosiers with an advantage they should exploit against the smaller Valparaiso team.
“I think Jenn Anderson is a difficult matchup for people,” Moren said. “She has great size, she has soft hands, and she has the ability to score at the basket. We have to convince our guards that it’s important that our post players get touches throughout the course of the game.”
Next, the Hoosiers will see action against Morehead State on Friday at Assembly Hall, where they will look for their third straight win to open the season.
In the meantime, Moren said the focus in practice will be on continuing to emphasize their advantages in the post.
“We understand the concept,” Moren said. “It’s something we talk about every day. But we’re still working on it, and I think throughout the season, you’ll see us get better.”
