Indiana Women Upset Michigan State, Move to 14-1 on Season

The skeptics have been waiting.  On Sunday afternoon, Indiana delivered.

Despite a 13-1 start to the season, the IU women’s basketball team had yet to crack the top 25.  Perhaps the voters were looking for a signature win.

Michigan State came to Bloomington on Sunday as the No. 15 team in the country.  They went home with a loss, while the Hoosiers got that noteworthy win it needed.

The Hoosiers struggled out of the gate and fell behind 15-11 after the 1st quarter in front of 6,380 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.  But a sustained defensive effort that limited the Spartans to just 31% from the field for the game led the way.  Indiana outscored MSU 22-12 in the second half, including a 9-0 run to close out the half.

📽️ All the highlights from today's 68-64 win over No. 15/17 Michigan State ⚪️🔴 #iuwbb pic.twitter.com/VAplVkOx9q

— Indiana Women’s Basketball (@IndianaWBB) January 6, 2019

From there the teams went back and forth, but once again it was an end of half run that sealed it.

Down 62-60 with 2:50 left in the game, IU would outscore Michigan State 8-2 to close out the game and seal the upset victory.  Four different players scored for IU in that final run, including a three-pointer from sophomore guard Jaelynn Penn with :47 to play to give IU the lead for good.

Indiana had a balanced attack throughout the game, with four players in double figures.  Penn scored 17 points to lead the way.  She added six rebounds.  Forward Brenna Wise added 14 points and a team leading 11 rebounds.

Now standing at 14-1 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten play, IU looks primed to enter the top 25 on Monday.

Note:  The game marked the 19th straight home win for IU.

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