INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana women’s basketball entered the Big Ten Tournament coming off a dominant victory over in-state rival Purdue on Sunday.
However, the Hoosiers’ first matchup in Indianapolis was one they previously lost. On Jan. 24 in Eugene, Oregon, the Cream and Crimson fell to the Ducks by 7 points. But on Thursday, Indiana avenged its prior loss with a 78-62 victory over Oregon inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Although Oregon scored first, Indiana responded with junior guard Shay Ciezki’s 5 consecutive points. The Ducks then notched another bucket before the Hoosiers went on a 10-0 run.
Leading by 12 points at the end of the opening quarter, the Cream and Crimson allowed the Ducks within 8 points early in the second quarter.
Junior forward Lilly Meister picked up her third foul of the contest with 6:19 left in the first half, while junior guard Yarden Garzon also committed her third foul with 4:30 remaining. Senior forward Karoline Striplin joined Meister and Garzon with three early fouls as she picked up hers with just over two and half minutes until halftime.
With the two forwards on the bench, Indiana head coach Teri Moren opted to slot freshman forward Faith Wiseman into the contest. She played for just over two minutes at the end of the opening half.
Despite the foul trouble, the Hoosiers still maintained control — thanks to Ciezki’s 15 first-half points — as they led by 10 points at halftime.
Oregon pulled closer in the third quarter as it went on a 7-0 run in the middle stages of the period. However, Garzon drilled a 3-pointer with just over 20 seconds left in the quarter as Indiana led by 8 heading into the final period.
With just over five and half minutes left in the game, the Hoosiers began their game-sealing run. Over the next three minutes, Indiana scored 13 consecutive points as it held Oregon scoreless. Now leading by 21 points with just over two and a half minutes remaining, the Hoosiers cruised to a 16-point victory.
The Hoosiers will now face off with No. 1 USC, which is led by Big Ten Player of the Year in sophomore guard JuJu Watkins, at noon Friday in the quarterfinals of the tournament. They previously fell to the Trojans by 7 points Jan. 19 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and Savannah Slone (@savrivers06) and columnist Ryan Canfield (@RyanCanfieldOnX) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s basketball season.
