Women's basketball rolls over Southern Indiana

Shooting less than 48 percent from the free-throw line usually doesn’t bode well for winning basketball games – unless a team converts nearly 55 percent of its field goals and 63 percent of its 3-point shots.

The IU women’s basketball team followed this model in its 93-49 victory against Southern Indiana in its first exhibition game of the season Saturday.

IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack said the game wasn’t about the margin of victory, but rather staying focused for 40 minutes, something she said her team did well.

“It’s never about the other team,” Legette-Jack said. “This is not a personal vendetta against anyone we play. This is about us and what we come to do, and if we stay focused on what we come to do, I think the score will take care of itself.”

The Hoosiers controlled the opening tip and scored first on a 3-pointer by senior guard/forward Kim Roberson. The team never looked back, as hot shooting from sophomore guard Haylie Linn lifted IU to a 44-22 halftime lead.

Linn, who led the Hoosiers with 16 points, connected on her first three shots from behind the arc and finished the half with 11 points in just nine minutes of play.

Linn said she felt excited to play her first game of the season and rode that energy to a quick start.

“We were all really excited to get out there and play,” she said. “My teammates did a great job getting me open.”

In the second half, the Hoosier shot a dismal 28.6 percent from the free-throw line, but put through over 60 percent of their field goals.

In addition to the production from Linn, sophomore guard Jori Davis and Roberson each scored in double figures with 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Although the offense clicked well for IU, the team’s defense created problems for Southern Indiana as well. The Hoosiers forced 36 turnovers and scored 44 points off those turnovers, as opposed to the Screaming Eagles’ eight points off turnovers.

Junior guard Jamie Braun said defense is going to be a key for her team as the season progresses.

“I think my defense has gotten a lot better, and I figure if we’re flying around, it puts the other team under pressure,” she said.

In addition to scorching the net with 3-pointers, Linn played well overall, with three rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.

Linn said her all-around game is something she has been working on, and with good reason.

“I’ve definitely been trying to focus on that, because I’m afraid that if I don’t, I’m not going to play,” she said.

With 11 players scoring for the Hoosiers, the team showed great depth, even if the opponent wasn’t a Big Ten foe. At the end of the game, Legette-Jack said the unity and depth made her happy with the effort.

“It’s great to see the unity of the team,” she said. “I think this is the team we’ve always envisioned. It’s a team that, any given day, somebody else can step up, so we are excited about the possibilities of our future.”