IOWA CITY, Iowa — When Yarden Garzon sunk a left corner 3-pointer to extend Indiana women’s basketball’s lead to 11-7 early in the first quarter on Sunday, she turned toward Iowa’s bench and gave a bit of a stare.
The typically reserved Garzon looked at her rivals’ sideline to send a message.
“I just remembered last year here, and I didn’t want it to happen again,” Garzon said. “So I just gave them a look to know that we are here and we’re here to win the game.”
Just 365 days ago, Indiana came to Carver-Hawkeye Arena and Garzon had just 11 points to go with six turnovers as the Hoosiers suffered a 27-point defeat. But on Sunday, the junior’s 21 points were the reason Indiana (12-4, 4-1 Big Ten) left with a 74-67 victory.
Garzon looks to be a much more mature player this season, especially in difficult road environments. Garzon was often sped up and unorganized as a decision-maker in games like this last year, but in front of 14,998 on Sunday, she was 7-for-8 from the field (including 5-for-5 on 3s) and played with comfort and an edge.
“Yarden had a special night, but she’s a special player, as we know,” Indiana head coach Teri Moren said.
After averaging 11.7 points per game in 2023-24, Garzon is averaging 14.6 to lead the Hoosiers this year. She’s also averaging 15.8 points in IU’s four road games after just 9.3 on the road last year. Garzon has done her part to make up for IU losing Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia — IU’s two leading scorers in 2023-24 — to graduation.
Two seniors who Indiana got back for a fifth year are point guard Chloe Moore-McNeil and wing Sydney Parrish. Moore-McNeil logged 18 points while Parrish had 15.
Moore-McNeil was also active on the defensive end, as she spent most of the afternoon defending Iowa’s Lucy Olsen and Aaliyah Guyton, who combined to shoot 6-for-21 from the field.
Carver-Hawkeye Arena has been a house of horror for IU, who won in Iowa City for the first time since February 2021. Moore-McNeil and Parrish badly wanted to win their last game in the arena.
“We’ve been on the other side of this, as you guys know,” Indiana head coach Teri Moren said. “There’s nobody — (Moore-McNeil) and (Parrish) both — that were more determined today to come in here and not go home without a win. (Moore-McNeil)’s our heartbeat, she’s our leader. And, once again, she was really good.”
Anyone watching Sunday’s game knew how much it meant to those who had gone through tough losses at Iowa in the past few years. Garzon was animated after multiple of her shots, and Parrish even turned toward the audience with three fingers in the air after draining a 3 that put Indiana up 10 to end the third quarter.
Indiana needed scoring production from its veteran trio, and it got it. The Hoosiers are now 3-0 on the road in Big Ten play.
“I credit Indiana,” Iowa head coach Jan Jansen said. “They lost a lot too, and they certainly figured it out. They got a great three that are playing really well with Parrish and (Moore-McNeil) and Garzon.”
Even Karoline Striplin — a senior transfer from Tennessee — came up with a huge bucket to grow IU’s lead to six with 1:28 left. IU’s vets did vet things all day long to get the win.
IU’s daunting Big Ten slate continues into the week, as the Hoosiers will host a 12-4 Illinois team on Thursday before hosting No. 4 USC in Assembly Hall next Sunday.
If Indiana wants to solidify itself as a threat in the Big Ten, its experienced leaders must continue to pave the way.
