CJ Gunn did not get the start, but his presence off the bench helped keep the Hoosiers from a disastrous first half in their first exhibition game of the season, as Indiana beat the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds 74-52 Sunday afternoon. Gunn shot 3-for-6 with seven points in 10 minutes of first-half action, while also causing a few Greyhound turnovers to keep the halftime deficit to only two (27-25 UIndy).
Indiana had countless missed layups and shot poorly from the field (10-for-31), while also missing six free throws through the first 20 minutes of play. UIndy did not perform much better, but their six 3-pointers gave them the edge at the break.
The Hoosiers did not waste time coming out of the locker room. After creating a 10-point lead midway through the second half, Gabe Cupps ignited Assembly Hall by forcing a 10-second violation, leading to an Anthony Walker turnaround jumper, pushing the lead to 12.
On the other end of the floor, Indiana forced a turnover, causing the stadium to erupt. Head coach Mike Woodson’s halftime speech resonated with each member of the Hoosiers, as they outscored the Greyhounds 49-25 in the second half and improved their shooting by 33% (20-for-31).
“Real Coach Woody came out,” Walker said. “He wanted us to play Indiana basketball like he’s been coaching us all summer and the way he’s coached since he’s been here. That’s exactly what I feel like we did in the second half.”
Paul Zilinskas and Jesse Bingham were the bright spots for UIndy — Zilinskas finished with 11 points on 50% shooting over 24 minutes while Bingham had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists in 34 minutes.
The Indiana starters combined for 52 of the team’s 74 points, with newcomers Mackenzie Mgbako and Kel’el Ware each leading the way with a team-high 14 points and a combined 14 rebounds. Malik Reneau had 12 points and six rebounds, and each starter played about 25 minutes.
While the Hoosiers ended the game on a high note, they did have an injury scare when Payton Sparks was fouled and immediately dropped to the ground grabbing his left leg in agony with 8:30 left in the game. A pin drop could be heard throughout the stadium as Woodson instantly came on the floor to check on him.
Sparks managed to walk off the floor on his own to a standing ovation, and Woodson assured fans he would not be missing any time.
“He’s going to be fine,” Woodson said. “He’s a tough dude. He’ll be back on the floor, I’m sure, for the Marian game.”
Indiana takes on Marian at 6:30 p.m. this Friday at Assembly Hall for its final exhibition game before tipping off the regular season Tuesday, Nov. 7 against Florida Gulf Coast at 6:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
