IU let an eight-point first half lead slip away in the second half, but the Hoosiers found a way to hold on for a 70-65 win against Nebraska to open Big Ten play.
Nebraska (8-5, 0-1) heavily guarding the 3-point line in the opening half, allowing for IU (11-3, 1-0) to get into the painted area and score multiple times at the rim while the Huskers missed a number of layups at the other end.
As that was happening, the Hoosiers built a lead that was as high as 16 with just under four minutes left in the first half. IU outscored Nebraska 38-26 in the paint.
But the Huskers closed the half on a 10-2 run so that IU only led by eight at halftime. That run continued in the early parts of the second half to where Nebraska took a 43-42 lead with 16:24 left in the game.
From there, Nebraska’s offense cooled off and IU was able to regain control.
The Huskers gave IU a scare late, cutting the lead to just three points with 35 seconds left in the game, but junior guard Nick Zeisloft hit a pair of free throws to increase IU’s lead to five and IU was able to hold on from there.
Junior forward Hanner Mosquera-Perea registered his best game of the season, recording a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Junior guard Yogi Ferrell was oftentimes double-teamed throughout the entirety of the game. Ferrell had just five points off of 2-for-7 shooting, but managed five rebounds and 8 assists.
Midway through the second half, IU Coach Tom Crean and Nebraska Coach Tim Miles got into a heated argument at mid-court that led to a stoppage in play.
The confrontation took place with just about 10 minutes left in the half shortly after Ferrell attempted a lob pass to Mosquera-Perea who was fouled.
On a replay, Crean was shown shouting something at Miles before the two met along the sidelines. When they got together, Miles was restrained by an assistant with officials nearby.
While Miles appeared frustrated, yelling at Crean, the IU coach said nothing.
IU will get its second taste of Big Ten play next Monday when the Hoosiers play the Michigan State Spartans.
Sam Beishuizen
