Women's basketball improves to 4-0

With IU’s 80-53 victory against Central Arkansas on Monday night at Assembly Hall, the IU women’s basketball team improved to 4-0, its first 4-0 start since the 2006 season.

“Good team win for the Hoosiers against a quality opponent that unfortunately had a lot of travel problems getting here and didn’t play certainly as they’re capable,” IU Coach Curt Miller said.

It’s the third time this season IU has scored at least 80 points.

Miller emphasized setting the tempo for this game and said he was pleased with the team’s effort.

“I thought we did a really good job in the first half of creating the tempo we wanted to play at,” he said.

Senior center Sasha Chaplin scored six points in the first five minutes of the game and finished with 10. She said setting an early tempo is the team’s main goal.

“As long as I can help bring the tempo and bring the energy, that’s what we need and that’s what we’re going for,” Chaplin said.

With less than nine minutes remaining in the first half, IU hit four straight 3-pointers to go on a 12-6 run.

“Our coaches kept pushing us to find our rhythm,” senior forward Tabitha Gerardot said. “We kept getting stops on the defensive end, and I think that’s what helped us.”

Sophomore guard Nicole Bell hit back-to-back 3-pointers after entering the game with under 12 minutes remaining in the first half, providing an offensive spark for the Hoosiers. She finished the game with 11 points in 20 minutes off the bench.

Senior center Simone Deloach provided a defensive spark for the Hoosiers with two blocks in the same defensive possession after entering the game in the first half. She also contributed six points and nine rebounds.

“Simone Deloach rebounded the ball and was a presence inside against a smaller team,” Miller said.

Freshman guard Alexis Gassion started in place of sophomore forward Kaila Hulls for the second consecutive game. Gassion finished with nine points and two rebounds.

“It’s crazy because I’m coming in as a freshman, but it’s very exciting,” Gassion said.
Miller said Hulls’ injury status remains day-to-day.

Hulls did not see any minute against Indiana State on Friday or against Central Arkansas on Monday night.

The Hoosiers shot 47.6 percent from 3-point range and 46.2 from the field.

Freshman guard Karlee McBride chipped in eight points off the bench, six of which came from shooting 2-for-2 from 3-point range.

“Karlee McBride is an instant offense kid and is continuing to make shots,” Miller said.
After committing 22 turnovers at Indiana State last Friday, IU only committed seven against Central Arkansas. 

Courtney Duever had 10 points for the Sugar Bears (3-1). She was the only player to reach double digits in points.

“She (Duever) was the National Player of the Week the first week of the season,” Miller said. “We tried a lot of people on her and did a nice job in the post.”

The Hoosiers’ next game will be at 2 p.m. Saturday against Butler at home.  

Follow reporter Stuart Jackson on Twitter @Stuart_Jackson1.