Facing the team with the second-worst record in the Big Ten, Indiana women’s basketball couldn’t afford a slip-up on Tuesday.
And the Hoosiers got the job done, rolling to an 84-64 win over Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill.
Indiana (23-4, 14-3 Big Ten) shot 7 for 21 from 3-point range in the contest, while Northwestern (8-20, 3-14) went just 2 for 12. The Hoosiers leaned on a big advantage on the boards, out-rebounding the Wildcats 41-27.
IU led at halftime, 43-33. The Hoosiers never quite broke the game completely open in the first half, though they led by as much as 14. But Indiana cooled off and scored just two points in the last 3:45 of the second quarter, and the Wildcats closed the gap with a 6-2 run.
The Hoosiers solidified the margin in the third quarter, outpacing Northwestern 28-12. IU head coach Teri Moren rested her starters for much of the fourth quarter — graduated student forward Mackenzie Holmes, fifth-year guard Sara Scalia, and sophomore wing Yarden Garzon sat for the entire period. And the Wildcats outscored those reserve-heavy IU lineups, 19-13.
Holmes enjoyed a strong night, shooting 12 for 13 from the field for 28 points, along with nine rebounds and two blocks. She was 7 for 7 on field goals at halftime.
Scalia also chipped in 11 points on a 3-for-9 line, with all of her makes from 3-point range and just two missed attempts coming from inside the arc.
Senior guard Sydney Parrish added 11 points on a 4-of-10 clip. She also grabbed 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.
Sophomore Lilly Meister scored in double-figures for just the third time this season. The forward scored 10 points while shooting 3 of 4 from the field.
Indiana returns home on Sunday for its regular-season finale against Maryland.
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