FINAL: IU 99, SHSU 45

Beating Sam Houston State at its own uptempo game, IU cruised to a 99-45 home victory Thursday evening.

As if a 27-point halftime lead was not enough of a safety net, IU began the second half with a 19-run stretch that pushed the lead to 41 early in the second half.

The Hoosiers also began the game on a 16-2 run.

Junior forward Will Sheehey started the game instead of senior forward Christian Watford. It was only the second time in 99 career games for Watford at IU that he has played but not started.

Once he was in the game, though, Watford contributed a quick 7 points while playing all around the court on defense. He finished with 24 points to lead IU.

Fellow senior Jordan Hulls joined the 1,000 career points club with a three-point shot in the second half. The crowd chanted the Bloomington native's name moments later. The guard finished with 10 points.

To counter the uptempo nature of the Bearkats, IU employed a smaller lineup -- one without sophomore forward Cody Zeller -- for several stretches of the game, particularly when SHSU's 6-foot-11, 255 pound center, Michael Holyfield, was on the bench. Even when in the game, he was a non-factor.