BLOOMINGTON — Indiana’s biggest home game of the season was always going to be Thursday’s battle against Iowa.
But after Monday’s loss to Illinois, it became a must-win. The 14th-ranked Hoosiers couldn’t drop this game if they want to host NCAA Tournament games for the third consecutive season.
And in front of an electric, big-game atmosphere at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Indiana got the job done. IU turned in one of its more inspired performances of the season, and came away with the signature win it desperately needed — an 86-69 upset over the fourth-ranked Hawkeyes.
Indiana (22-4, 13-3 Big Ten) led at halftime, 44-33. Caitlin Clark scored 20 points in the first half, but the Hoosiers effectively limited Iowa’s supporting cast, particularly in the second quarter. The Hoosiers outscored the Hawkeyes 21-11 in the period to build their lead.
IU led by as many as 18 points during the third quarter, after a 9-0 run to open the period. But Iowa (23-4, 12-3) made a run later in the quarter to cut into the lead, and got within eight points going into the fourth.
But the Hoosiers got back on track in the fourth quarter behind 10 points from Mackenzie Holmes and a strong defensive effort to keep Clark at bay. The Iowa superstar finished with 24 points — just four in the second half. She shot 8 for 26 from the field and 3 for 16 from 3-point range, along with 10 rebounds, nine assists, and five turnovers.
Holmes and Sara Scalia each scored in double-figures by halftime. Scalia led IU with 25 points on a 7-for-14 clip, including a 3-for-8 mark from 3-point range. She went 8 for 8 at the free-throw line, and chipped in four assists and four rebounds.
Holmes, who was honored before the game for setting IU’s scoring record, shot 11 for 16 from the field for 24 points, and she added nine rebounds, four blocks, and four turnovers.
Sophomore Yarden Garzon hit some big shots throughout the game and scored 15 points on a 6-of-14 line, including going 3 for 5 from 3-point range.
Sydney Parrish returned to the starting lineup Thursday and finished with seven points on a 2-for-3 clip, with six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and five turnovers.
Next up for the Hoosiers is a road game at Northwestern on Tuesday evening.
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