Bloomington, Indiana: Senior guard Chloe Moore-McNeil decided her place in the Indiana women’s basketball record books with seven seconds remaining in Thursday’s historic game. She would complete a triple-double with points, rebounds, and assists if she made both of her shots.
Moore-McNeil made both, capping the 94-91 victory over Michigan State that came from behind. It was Indiana’s first triple-double in over three years and the fourth in program history (the other three were owned by Grace Berger). With 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, Moore-McNeil concluded the game. With Sara Scalia scoring 21 and Mackenzie Holmes leading the way with 28, all five Indiana starters scored in double figures.
After the game, “Chloe!” chants broke out in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. For just the second time this season, Indiana trailed 53-43 going into the halftime locker room.
The other incident involved Penn State, an eight-point victory over Indiana. It took the Hoosiers until the final six minutes of the fourth quarter on Thursday to regain their advantage. At 7 minutes into the first quarter, they had their final lead.
Teri Moren, the head coach of Indiana, stated, “You have to have the kids that are super uber-confident that they can knock those shots down.” “Because you need to have some guts in a situation like that, when it’s time to make a gut check, right? You must have the confidence to stand up and promise your squad that you will make this shot tonight. I think there were a lot of huge shots, big moments, and it was kind of fantastic that they had some big cajones. I found it entertaining to watch. Assembly Hall also yearned for it.
In the second quarter, Indiana trailed 35-31 when fans got on their feet, inspired by Lexus Bargesser’s near-steal that pushed the Spartans into their own backcourt. On the same play, freshman Julianna LaMendola drew the charge in the post and yelled on the ground, and the crowd responded.
Although Scalia finished the 7-0 run with another three-pointer, the Hoosiers were outscored by 10 points in the remaining minutes of the half. Indiana closed the gap to four points in the third quarter, but Michigan State scored another basket to lead by six. However, 30 seconds after returning to the game, sophomore reserve Henna Sandvik made just her second 3-pointer of the year, giving the Hoosiers the lead.
Yarden Garzon, a fellow sophomore, made the game-winning 3-pointer on the following play. An incredible 22 3-pointers were made by Indiana and Michigan State combined.
When asked if he felt nervous during the shot, Garzon responded, “I don’t think so,” in the postgame interview. “No,” she said after Mackenzie Holmes laughed next to her. Coach told me to “shoot it” as she was behind me. I know the coaches feel the same way I do about my shot and how secure I am in it.
The game was usually within one or two points, but the Hoosiers never let up their lead after taking a 77-76 lead with six minutes remaining in the game. Two scores were tied. At this point, Indiana is 19-3 overall, 10-2 in the Big Ten, and 12-0 at home. On Sunday at 2:00 PM ET, the Hoosiers take on Purdue; Big Ten-plus will broadcast the game.
