So it was a series of lengthy scoring runs that led to IU (9-1) pulling away for a 82-56 victory at Milwaukee (3-6).
The score was 26-25 at the 4:37 mark before the Hoosiers ended the half on a 14-6 run. They then went on a 20-0 run during a six-minute span early in the second half.
“We got some momentum going into half time, which was really good,” IU Coach Teri Moren said.
The early foul troubles meant players such as sophomore guard Taylor Agler and sophomore forward Jenn Anderson, among others, had to come off the floor a little early. Agler played just 23 minutes and Anderson only played 12, which was fewer than three bench players.
Having to turn to the bench was not an issue as Gassion and freshman guard Jess Walter once again had productive outings. Gassion had 15 points and six rebounds, and Walter had 10 points and five assists.
Moren and IU Assistant Coach Todd Starkey said the Hoosiers had to change the way they played due to the offensive foul calls inside.
“We have to shoot more midrange jumpers,” Moren said. “We are not going to be effective getting to the basket because of the way the game was being played.”
As Milwaukee used some different defensive schemes against IU, everything else came together once the Hoosiers’ shots started falling.
“Any time we get going offensively, that helps us defensively get the stops we need to have,” Moren said.
There were stretches Sunday in which the Panthers were unable to create any offense. Milwaukee shot 39 percent from the field and made 4-of-20 from 3-point range. That figure was as low as 1-of-11 at one point.
Moren said sophomore guard Larryn Brooks did a good job of finding the open person.
Brooks finished just shy of the double-double with a team-leading 16 points and nine assists.
There were plenty of broken plays with deflections and ugly rebounds, but the Hoosiers took advantage of those opportunities. IU outrebounded its opponents 38-27, and it had 15 points off turnovers compared to the Panthers’ 10. IU had 17 fast-break points to Milwaukee’s two.
“Even though there were moments where it seemed things were not going our way, I think we found a way to win the game tonight just by defending and rebounding,” Moren said.
This was IU’s second road game of the year, both of which were wins. The team’s next outing will be another road contest at Oakland on ?Dec. 20.
“Any road win you get, you are excited about,” Moren said.
