Hoosiers use second half push to get past Northwestern to win three in a row!

Photo: Chris Howell of the Herald-Times

Bloomington, Ind.-  Indiana (11-7, 4-2 Big Ten) matched their longest winning streak of the season (three games) with a convincing win over the Wildcats of Northwestern 66-46 Sunday at Assembly Hall,.

The game didn’t always look so comfortable for the Hoosiers. They struggled from the tip. At the 17:46 mark in the first half IU’s best player, Juwan Morgan had to take a seat with his second foul.

To start the game Indiana went on a 13-3 run with Northwestern cutting it back to as close as three. At halftime the Hoosiers led by a low score of 24-19. Neither team hit 20 points until the 2:20 mark. They couldn’t seem to get the lid off the basket. The Wildcats (11-8, 2-4) shot 24 percent from the field and the Hoosiers not much better shooting 30 percent by halftime.

During the second half the Hoosiers figured out how to win with tough defense and better shot selection. With Morgan having it sit the majority of the first half he came into the second half ready to play. Robert Johnson and Juwan Morgan scored the first 12 points for the Hoosiers. Which kicked off the second half surge run to 33-26 then pushing it to 53-26.

The only players in double figures came from the Hoosiers Robert Johnson with 17 and Josh Newkirk had 12.

IU forced 17 turnovers and went on a 18-0 run in the second half to cruise to a comfortable lead. Shooting 60 percent from the field in the second half also assisted the Hoosiers in their win. The tough defense and high quality shots will have to carry over in to Fridays game as the Hoosiers will have a huge road test against the Michigan State Spartans.