IU basketball: Indiana 79 Northwestern 76 (2OT): Three keys | Highlights

IU basketball: Indiana 79 Northwestern 76 (2OT): Three keys | Highlights | Final stats

Indiana defeated Northwestern 79-76 in double overtime on Wednesday evening at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill.

The Hoosiers were led by Al Durham with 24 points while Armaan Franklin added 23.

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

Indiana (11-8, 6-6) will travel to Ohio State for a noon tip on Saturday in Columbus.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Two improbable rallies. Northwestern led 54-47 with around two minutes left in regulation, and 66-60 with a minute left in the first overtime. But both times the Wildcats made mistakes and the Hoosiers didn’t quit and were able to force extra sessions. Al Durham scored Indiana’s last 7 points at the end of regulation, and Armaan Franklin hit four straight free throws at the end of the first overtime before Durham hit a 20-foot jump shot to force a second overtime.

2. Franklin and Durham shine, Hunter closes. On a night when leading scorer Trayce Jackson-Davis was held ten points under his average, veteran guards Durham and Franklin combined for 47 points. Meanwhile Jerome Hunter, who had sat out the last two games due to a coach’s decision, delivered a 3-pointer to give IU a 75-71 lead with 15 second left in the second overtime. Durham’s point total set a new career high, while Franklin tied his best point total first set at Illinois in December.

3. Hoosiers overcome sluggish offensive start. Indiana didn’t have a point at the first media timeout, and had just 20 on 7-of-29 shooting at halftime along with seven turnovers and a 4-of-13 effort at the free throw line. IU also had just .645 points per possession at the break, a figure that grew to 1.03 by the end of the game. The Hoosiers shot 15-of-33 for the rest of the game, and despite committing 13 turnovers in regulation, IU had none in overtime. The Hoosiers also made 23 of their last 25 free throw attempts, as Durham and Franklin combined to go 18-of-20 from the stripe for the game.