Home sweet home

The IU freshmen are growing up in a hurry, and they made their presence known once again Saturday. Their play combined with plenty of free throws and timely senior play, led the IU women's basketball team to beat Georgetown 72-65 Saturday night at Assembly Hall. IU made 30 free throws in a game that featured over 50 fouls.\n"I felt we really needed this win," IU coach Kathi Bennett said. "We knew they would come out and pressure us. We have struggled against pressure in the past, but I think we did a good job of handling it today."\nIU improved to 4-2 on the season and handed Georgetown their first loss to drop them to 5-1. \nFreshman guard Kali Kullberg recorded a career and game-high 18 points to lead the way and also was a perfect 12 of 12 from the free-throw line.\n"Coming off a two-game losing streak it didn't taste good," Kullberg said. "After this win next week in practice it will feel better. It will be easier when it comes to running sprints and working hard."\nKullberg answered the call when sophomore guard/forward Jenny DeMuth got into early foul trouble. DeMuth had three fouls at the half and played just eleven minutes in the first half with two points. \nKullberg connected on free throw after free throw down the stretch, and her ability to find gaps in the defense allowed her to get to the line.\nBennett said Kullberg has definitely shown the ability to get by on the drive. Bennett said she provides the toughness the team needs and emphasized her fearlessness.\nDeMuth, who suffered a mild concussion in the last contest, chipped in 13 points. Freshman center Angela Hawkins finished with ten rebounds. She has nine or more rebounds in the last five games.\nThe freshmen were not the only Hoosiers to play well. \nSenior guard Kristen Bodine tallied ten points, including IU's only two three-pointers.\nIU has struggled from three-point range in its last few games. The Hoosiers are 4-for-27 (.148) from three-point range in the first half of its last four games.\nIn addition to having trouble from the three-point arc, IU missed their share of close-range baskets in the first period. Bennett blamed it on a lack of focus. The team has to do it better in practice so they carry it over to games, she said. She said it is a lack of mental concentration and finishing will help them.\nSenior Lisa Eckart added nine points as well. Right before the half she was fouled attempting a three-pointer. She made two of the three before half to give IU some momentum and a 36-30 lead heading into the break.\nThe Hoosiers have led at the half in three of their four victories, and in their other win they trailed only by one. IU led by as many as nine in a see-saw first half, while Georgetown led by as much as four.\nBesides Kullberg, freshman Cyndi Valentin firmly anchored the guard position. The 5-foot 8-inch guard tallied ten points. \nBennett said she liked the youthful exuberance from the backcourt. \n"They really sparked us off the bench," Bennett said. "Kali was steady. When we moved her to the point she responded. And Cyndi provides instant energy. And on defense they really keep people in front of them. It's a small thing, but makes such a huge difference."\nMeanwhile, Valentin, who has recorded three-double figure scoring games this year, was humble about her performance. \n"I like to help the team anyway I can," Valentin said. "Today, our guards rose to the occasion. Being a guard, that's a good feeling."\nThe Hoyas were led by senior Rebekkah Brunson, who notched 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Brunson fouled out with just over five minutes remaining and IU up by one. In addition, senior Nok Duany, a native of Bloomington and graduate of Bloomington North High School, added eleven points.\nBennett said the Hoosiers were able to get scoring from their guards because Georgetown was the first team this season to front the post, so IU had to use the lob pass to enter the ball into the post. Bennett said sometimes they were sloppy with the lob passes. As a result, IU relied on their guards for offense in a physical affair.\nValentin said Georgetown was physical, mainly in the post. It wasn't bad on the perimeter, she said. \nIU next duels North Texas at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Denton, Texas.\n"After our last game we needed to come out early and establish some momentum," Bennett said. "This game was so important for us.