IU’s poor shooting and turnovers led to a 77-74 homecourt loss to Minnesota before a disappointed crowd at Assembly Hall in Bloomington on Thursday. The Hoosiers, who came into the game leading the nation in three-point shooting, suffered through a 4-for-18 performance from long distance en route to their second Big Ten loss in five games. Indiana stands 15-2 overall.
On a cold, blustery Midwestern night, it was the Gophers who tickled the twine with regularity. Minnesota stroked 6-of-13 three-pointers to take a 37-34 halftime advantage, then maintained it throughout the second half by scoring in the paint and grabbing 12 offensive rebounds.
The Gophers, who came into the game winless in conference play, received well-balanced scoring to post their most impressive victory of the season and give coach Tubby Smith’s club a much-needed confidence booster. Freshman Austin Hollins scored a career-high 18 points, Rodney Williams added 14, and Julian Welch contributed 10 points for Minnesota (13-5 overall, 1-4 Big Ten).
Meanwhile, Indiana committed 15 turnovers and shot only 43% from the floor, 22% from three-point territory. Freshman Cody Zeller matched a season-high with 23 points, while Jordan Hulls chipped in with 13, Will Sheehey added 12 in his return to action, and Victor Oladipo had 10 points.
While the Hoosiers struggled, they did have a chance to tie the game late. IU chipped away at a six point Minnesota lead in the final minute, and drew within three before Christian Watford, the hero of the Kentucky game, missed a three-pointer.
The Hoosiers hope they have just hit a speed bump, but a Sunday visit to Columbus to face Ohio State may prove troublesome. The Buckeyes are fresh from a ugly defeat to Illinois and will have the New Year’s eve memory of the loss in Bloomington on their minds.
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