No. 14 Indiana men’s basketball fell 89-73 to No. 3 Gonzaga University Thursday afternoon in the Imperial Ballroom on Paradise Island Atlantis in the Bahamas, its second double-digit loss in as many days.
Indiana hoped to bounce back after Wednesday afternoon’s 89-61 blowout defeat to the University of Louisville in the first round of the 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. The Hoosiers had a difficult path to do so, entering as double-digit underdogs to the Zags on Thanksgiving Day.
Following a lackluster defensive performance that allowed 52 points in the second half to the Cardinals, Indiana’s struggles on that end of the floor remained evident. Six different Gonzaga players tallied double-figures, and 22 personal fouls provided the Bulldogs with 21 points from free throws alone.
Offensively, sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo’s efficient 25-point display was overshadowed by the Hoosiers’ 4-for-18 clip from the 3-point line.
The Hoosiers lost their first two matchups in the Bahamas by a combined 34 points, the highest margin in consecutive defeats since 2009-10.
Gonzaga sprinted to an 8-0 lead with 18:04 remaining in the first half, as Indiana’s play appeared eerily reminiscent of a turnover-filled loss to Louisville. A 15-3 Hoosier run powered Indiana to an 18-16 advantage with 13:15 to go in the half — that would prove to be Indiana’s only lead of the game.
Despite a 19-point first half performance from Ballo, the Bulldogs took advantage of a nearly five minute long Hoosier scoring drought and used a 16-0 run to take a 57-39 lead into the intermission.
Both teams were plagued by foul trouble in a whistle-heavy second half, with seven different players reaching four fouls. Back and forth trips to the charity stripe were representative of a drawn-out Indiana defeat as the Zags coasted to a 16-point win.
Ballo and sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako were the only Hoosiers to reach double-digit scoring.
Indiana (4-2) will finish out tournament play at 11 a.m. Friday in the final round of the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Hoosiers will face the loser of the Thursday night game between Providence College and Davidson College. Friday’s matchup will be televised on ESPN2.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa) and columnist Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
