IU wins season opener at Memphis

A team with three new starters was down by five points with two minutes left in their season opener on the road.

Rather than panicking or folding the Hoosiers finished the game on a 10-1 run and pulled out a 78-74 win against Memphis at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.   

The key play came with 40 seconds left and the score tied at 74. At this point IU guard Whitney Lindsay drove the lane and hit a lay-up while being fouled. She made the free throw and the Hoosiers took a 77-74 lead. After a Memphis missed shot, senior guard Jamie Braun hit a game clinching free throw with 10 seconds left.

IU Coach Felisha Legette-Jack was proud of her team for grinding out a victory away from home.   

"It's never easy on the road and we’re both two young teams," Jack said.

The Hoosiers were in gear early and jumped out to a 35-21 lead with just over five minutes left in the first half. Memphis rallied and got within 43-37 at the break.

The second half went back and forth before the games final scenario was set-up.

IU had five double figure scorers on the night and was led in points by junior guard and team captain Jori Davis who had 21 points.    

Jack said she was happy the team stayed alert until the moment the buzzer sounded.

“One thing I loved about our team is that we stayed focused until the end,” she said. “We were able to get to that next pass and that next play and keep our focus on what we can control."