Make that 5 in a row for Indiana basketball. The Hoosiers (19-13) are shifting on to the quarterfinals of the Large Ten match after a 61-59 win over Penn State (16-17) within the second spherical in Minneapolis.
Right here’s why IU is shifting on.
Anthony Leal wins the sport
With the rating tied at 59-59, Malik Reneau’s game-winning try from simply contained in the foul line got here off the correct aspect of the rim. However there was Anthony Leal.
Leal got here flying in from the correct nook to place the ball again up and in with 5 seconds left to win the sport for Indiana. Leal’s second made discipline aim of the evening was an important of all of them. The senior guard completed with eight essential factors to get the Hoosiers the win.
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Ace Baldwin held down
Penn State main scorer Ace Baldwin was restricted to 9 factors on 3-of-15 from the sector on Thursday. Baldwin scored 22 and 23 factors in Penn State’s two wins over IU within the common season, however the pattern didn’t proceed in Minneapolis.
Baldwin was defended by freshman guard Gabe Cupps for a lot of the night. Cupps by no means let the southpaw scoring guard get snug on this matchup. Most of Baldwin’s makes an attempt have been contested.
Though Baldwin completed with six assists, Penn State’s lackluster offense can’t produce a lot with out him placing the ball within the hoop. Penn State made solely 16 discipline objectives due to Baldwin’s ineffectiveness.
Cupps and Xavier Johnson deserve all of the credit score for his or her stellar defensive effort in opposition to Baldwin. He was held quiet the whole sport, and it’s the first motive that IU is advancing to play once more on Friday evening.
Kel’el Ware does Kel’el Ware issues
Whereas Ware’s efficiency wasn’t as emphatic as a number of the video games he’s had in current weeks, he was nonetheless the most effective participant on the ground. Ware completed with 18 factors, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks.
Ware recorded his fifteenth double-double of the season to get IU one other win. The large man didn’t chase his shot as aggressively as he has lately, however he nonetheless completed the sport because the Hoosiers’ main scorer.
Ware has actually come into his personal as of late. He’s scored over 15 factors in seven of Indiana’s previous eight outings. He makes use of his dimension to have an effect on and block loads of photographs on the rim. And he’s probably the greatest rebounders within the Large Ten.