Hoosiers split four games over break

Dec. 20: IU 79, Nicholls State 66

Six days after a loss to in-state rival Notre Dame, IU returned to Assembly Hall and its winning ways. After a strong first-half performance that saw the Hoosiers lead by 15 at halftime, IU opened the lead to 21 in the second half before pulling the starters and allowing the gap to close.

Dec. 22: IU 90, Kennesaw State 66

Sophomore guard Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell’s 25 points — one short of a career high — helped the Hoosiers overcome 20 turnovers against an overmatched Kennesaw State squad. Freshman center Luke Fischer recorded a career-high 10 points in what would become his final game in an IU uniform. The Germantown, Wis., native announced his departure from the program Dec. 30 and enrolled at Marquette.

Dec. 31: Illinois 83, IU 80 (OT)

After flirting with a career high against Kennesaw State, Ferrell broke the barrier with a 30-point performance in IU’s Big Ten opener in Champaign, Ill. After matching Illinois almost basket-for-basket in regulation — both teams scored the same number of points in each half — IU floundered in overtime. The Hoosiers shot 1-8 from the field and fell a three-pointer short of a second overtime.

Jan. 4: Michigan State 73, IU 56

IU opened 2014 with a blowout loss at the hands of the then-No. 5 Spartans. The Hoosiers played MSU evenly in the game’s opening stages, but fell behind 9-7 less than five minutes into the game and never led again. Ferrell led the Hoosiers with 17 points as freshman guard Stanford Robinson turned in his best game in an IU uniform: 11 points, four rebounds and three assists while running the offense in relief of Ferrell.

— Alden Woods