After a disappointing trip back to Bloomington following their second loss of the season to Illinois, the Hoosiers were back on the hardwood Thursday, taking on the University of Louisiana-Monroe. Indiana led for the entire game, coming out victorious, 98-64.
The Hoosiers went into this one with just nine players available, meaning that Indiana’s effort or lack thereof, would be on display the entire night.
“We were a little bit shorthanded with some of our pieces,” Moren said following the win. “Pleased with how we started the game, pleased with how we scored early.”
During the first few minutes of the game, both teams came out sluggish with the basketball, resulting in seven turnovers apiece in the opening quarter. However, the Hoosiers appeared motivated, with clear intentions to push the pace on offense, led by guard Shay Ciezki’s 11 points in the first.
With Moren giving the start to Maya Makalusky for the first time in her young career, nerves and butterflies would be understandable for the freshman. However, her confidence and aggressiveness were on display. In the first half, Makalusky went toe-to-toe with Ciezki, raining in 3s left and right, finishing with 11 points going into the locker room.
“It definitely feels great for your hard work to pay off, but the job’s not done,” Makaluskly said postgame. “I got to continue to maintain that role and do what I need to do.”
At the break, the Hoosiers had a double-digit lead, shooting a whopping 64 percent from the field while holding the Warhawks to under 30 percent from the field.
In the second half, Indiana presented ULM with on-ball pressure, making it difficult for them to set up their offense, leading to points in transition for the Hoosiers.
Given the lack of size available for Moren, Makalusky manned the five for the Hoosiers, a position she has yet to play at the collegiate level.
“We did throw into Maya into the five… and it worked tonight,” Moren said. “I don’t know if we can continue to do it, but I thought Maya did a good job of being physical.”
Contrary to Saturday’s loss, the Hoosiers moved the ball around the perimeter, generating open looks and attacking the basket with authority. It felt like an entirely different team, one fueled with energy and intensity.
“I think the whole team could say that it was probably one of the hardest two practices that we’ve had this season,” Ciezki said regarding the past week of practice. “I think that helped us tonight… one loss can’t define who we are as a team.”
It was a three-man wrecking crew on the offensive side of the ball tonight, led by Ciezki’s 31 to go along with a career-high 22 for Makalusky and 18 for Lenée Beaumont.
“I feel like I’ve definitely learned more grit but I’ve also learned to count on my teammates,” Makalusky said. “I think I’ve slowly gained confidence and grace through that.”
After the Warhawks ripped off a quick 6-0 run to open the final quarter, Ciezki hit a 3 from way downtown, sending Assembly Hall into a frenzy, resulting in the final dagger.
Indiana caught fire in the fourth, scoring 33 points, en route to a 44-point victory.
Getting back in the win column and moving to 9-2 on the season, the Hoosiers will stay in Bloomington, where they will host the Eastern Michigan Eagles on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
