Indiana men’s basketball (11-3, 2-1 Big Ten) started 2025 in the win column, taking an 84-74 victory over Rutgers (8-6, 1-2 Big Ten) on Thursday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
Led by 17 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks from sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo and a season-best 12 made 3-pointers, the Hoosiers cruised past Rutgers, which played without star freshman guard Dylan Harper due to an illness.
Indiana also played shorthanded, as junior forward Malik Reneau played only 29 seconds, suffering a lower-body injury amid incidental contact with Rutgers freshman guard/forward Ace Bailey. He was replaced by Ballo, who came off the bench for the first time this season.
In addition to Ballo’s strong outing, the Hoosiers had three other players in double figures. Redshirt sophomore guard Myles Rice scored 21 points, while sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako and fifth-year senior guard Trey Galloway added 16 and 11 points apiece. Bailey scored a game-high 39 points for the Scarlet Knights.
Without Reneau — and with Bailey scoring 16 points in the first 10 minutes — the Hoosiers fell behind early. Rutgers’ lead grew as large as 26-19 before Indiana found its stride. The Hoosiers closed the half on a 14-5 run to carry a 41-34 lead into the locker room.
Thanks to 12 offensive rebounds, Indiana dominated Rutgers in second-chance points, scoring 21 points to the Scarlet Knights’ 3. The Hoosiers shot 7 for 15 from distance, capped by an off-balanced heave from fifth-year senior forward Anthony Leal as the halftime buzzer sounded.
Indiana maintained its momentum to start the second half, using a 13-4 run in the first six minutes to extend its lead to 54-38. The Hoosiers’ lead grew as high as 18 points, but Rutgers clawed back.
After Bailey buried a pair of contested 3-pointers, Indiana found itself facing game pressure with its lead down to 58-52 inside of nine minutes to play. The Hoosiers responded with a 10-3 run, and their advantage never dwindled below 9 points the rest of the way.
Indiana continues Big Ten play at noon Sunday against Penn State (12-2, 2-1 Big Ten) inside The Palestra in Philadelphia.
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.
