IU basketball: Indiana 87 South Carolina 71 — Three keys | Highlights

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana defeated South Carolina at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall Saturday afternoon by a final score of 87-71.

Indiana led 43-32 at the half. They were led in the game by Myles Rice with 23 points. Mackenzie Mgbako added 17, while Oumar Ballo had a team high 13 rebounds. Indiana closed the game on an 8-0 run over the last 1:06.

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

Indiana (3-0) will host UNC Greensboro on Thursday.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME (will be expanded)

1. So this is what good guard play looks like. Indiana got 35 points from starting guards Myles Rice and Kanaan Carlyle, and another 11 off the bench from Trey Galloway. Add in starting three man Mackenzie Mgbako, and Indiana got 65 points from those four guards and wings. This was a major divergence from the paint/post led production we’ve grown accustomed to in recent years. And IU’s shooting splits were impressive, making 51% overall from the field, 47.1% from three, and 81.8% from the free throw line.

2. Getting enough stops. The Hoosiers held South Carolina to 38.1% shooting and forced 12 turnovers. The Gamecocks found some open looks from three, especially in the first half, but still made just 27.6% from long range. South Carolina made just 1-of-9 from three in the second half after a 7-of-20 start before the break.

3. Taking away the star. It was equal part good fortune and effective game planning that South Carolina leading scorer Collin Murray-Boyles fouled out with just two points. He came into the game averaging 21 points per game. The Gamecocks still put four scorers in double figures, but their starting guards and small forward combined to make just 11-of-39 shots.

HIGHLIGHTS