IU basketball: Indiana 90 Eastern Illinois 55 — Three keys | Highlights

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana defeated Eastern Illinois on Sunday afternoon at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall by a final score of 90-55.

The Hoosiers trailed at halftime 37-36 before rallying for a 54-18 second stanza. Leading the way in the scoring column were Mackenzie Mgbako with 18, and Oumar Ballo and Malik Reneau with 17 apiece.

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

Indiana (2-0) will have the week off before facing South Carolina in Bloomington on Saturday.

For postgame with Mike Woodson, Malik Reneau and Bryson Tucker, GO HERE.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. A second half awakening. Indiana came out for the Noon ET tip like they had spent Saturday evening out celebrating another IU football win. The Hoosiers trailed by as much as five in the first half, and went into the locker rooms trailing an EIU squad ranked outside of the top-300 nationally. But Indiana substantially improved their energy level in the second half and dismantled the Panthers, 54-18 after the break.

2. Offensive efficiency. IU made 61.3 percent of their shots and had 26 assists on 38 field goals on the afternoon. They made 64.7 percent in the second half and utilized transition to their advantage with 20 fast break points after the break. IU also forced nine second half turnovers and scored 13 points off them, as they looked to get downhill at every opportunity.

3. Paint dominance. Indiana had a substantial size advantage, and while that posed problems at times on the defensive end in the first half as EIU scored from the perimeter, the Hoosiers pounded the Panthers in the paint. The Hoosiers outscored the Panthers 56-24 in the paint, and held a 38-26 rebounding advantage. IU made 72.7% from 2-point range. Ballo added three blocks, and IU swatted six as a team.

HIGHLIGHTS