IU basketball: Indiana 74 Minnesota 62 — three keys, highlights, final stats

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana defeated Minnesota Friday evening at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall by a final score of 74-62.

The Hoosiers led at halftime 41-31. They were led in the game by Mackenzie Mgbako with a career-high 19 points. Three more Indiana players reached double figures in the scoring column.

The three keys to the game, highlights and expanded game stats are below.

Indiana (12-5, 4-2) will next host Purdue on Tuesday.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. A solid defensive effort. Minnesota shot just 39 percent from the field overall, including 15 percent from 3-point range. Indiana’s defensive pressure caused 14 Golden Gopher turnovers. Minnesota’s three starting guards (Mitchell, Hawkins, Christie) shot just 4-of-28 from the field. Fueled by defensive intensity, IU jumped out to an 11-2 lead to start the game and never trailed.

2. Balanced scoring. Indiana had four players in double figures, including three with 16 or more points. Mgbako led the way with a career-high 19, while Kel’el Ware added 17, Malik Reneau had 16, and Trey Galloway chipped in 10. That group gave Indiana good inside/out balance as well. The Hoosiers made 6-of-14 from three (42.9 percent), but only made 16-of-27 (59.3 percent) from the free throw line.

3. Assists > Turnovers. After struggling mightily with turnovers in several recent games, Indiana was better in this one with 10. Led by Trey Galloway’s seven, the Hoosiers had 17 assists on the night. Galloway has improved substantially as a facilitator. He’s averaging more than six assists per game over his last six contests.

HIGHLIGHTS