ASSEMBLY HALL (IUSTV Sports) - On the same evening as former Indiana Men’s Basketball head coach Bob Knight’s passing, the Indiana Hoosiers took the floor for the first time in the 2023-24 season in an exhibition match vs. Northwood University.
Beginning their season in the same place it ended last year, the Hoosiers showcased what’s to come this season with an emphatic 111-68 victory.
Preseason All-American Mackenzie Holmes led the charge for Indiana. Holmes finished the night on a perfect 14/14 from the floor for 28 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and three steals in only 14 minutes played.
But the efficient shooting from Indiana seemed to be contagious. All together, the Hoosiers finished with an efficient 63% from the field on the night, which included 50% from beyond the arc.
The most notable impact from three point land was senior guard, Sara Scalia. Scalia cashed in five three pointers on eight attempts; which helped her tally 17 points in the evening.
“As a shooter, to see your first couple go down is really big, said Scalia, “I’ve just been continuously working on my game and working on hitting game-like shots.”
Chloe Moore-Mcneil was the maestro on the offensive end, early and often, dishing out 10 assists and took the lead as the team’s primary ball handler. Coming off the bench in her place, Lexus Bargesser led the way orchestrating the second unit with seven assists of her own.
“Lexi and Lilly (Meister) look completely different than they did a year ago in terms of comfort and confidence,” said head coach Teri Moren, “she’s had a great preseason and we expect a lot from her.”
Aside from the usual contributors, the exhibition proved to be a fantastic opportunity for the new faces in cream and crimson to get acquainted with Assembly hall. 11 of the 12 Hoosier that took the floor scored in tonight's contest.
“We intentionally started putting some of those young kids in there to play with some of the vets because we knew there would be some butterflies,” said coach Moren.
The highly anticipated freshman guard, Lenée Beaumon, was able to showcase what she can do for the Hoosiers this season, putting in nine points of her own.
However, regardless of the outcome, the passing of Bob Knight was still in the hearts and minds of everyone in the Indiana basketball community.
“Bob Knight built Indiana basketball. He set the foundation. He instilled those intangibles that we look for here at Indiana, the men’s and womens’ side, competitive, gritty, all those things. His legacy is something that will never be replaced,” said Holmes
IU will look to carry this moment into their first regular season matchup, as they’ll host Eastern Illinois on Thursday, November 9th.
