Indiana came out on fire Saturday afternoon and never looked back, dominating Wisconsin in an 83-52 victory that sent a strong message to the Big Ten. From the opening whistle, the Hoosiers locked down defensively and executed with precision against the Badgers.
This performance was a perfect example of Indiana putting together a complete performance that showcased their potential for the rest of the Big Ten season ahead.
"We knew this was going to be a game where we could expose some areas," senior guard Sydney Parrish said. "Our scout told us what to expect, and we executed exactly how we planned."
Suffocating defense and early control
Indiana’s defense stifled Wisconsin, limiting them to just 35% shooting and forcing nine turnovers in the first half. The Badgers struggled to find a rhythm trying to claw their way back from an early double digit deficit.
The Hoosiers built a commanding 42-23 lead by halftime that set the stage for an even more dominant second half.
Yarden Garzon’s all-around excellence
Yarden Garzon led the charge delivering another stellar performance with 13 points and seven rebounds. She wasn’t just a scorer — although she set the tone with her aggressive play and ability to attack the rim and stretch the defense.
But it was her buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the third quarter that put the Hoosiers up by 32, especially putting the game out of reach.
"We’ve been working on getting to the basket and staying aggressive," Parrish said. "Today, everything was clicking for us."
Lilly Meister owns the paint
Lilly Meister was another key contributor for Indiana, scoring 20 points and establishing her presence in the paint against All-American competition.
"We wanted to focus on attacking the paint and getting Lilly some good looks," Indiana head coach Teri Moren said. "She delivered when we needed her most, and that balance really helped."
Altogether the Hoosiers’ strategy was clear — crowd the paint and let Meister work — and the junior forward took full advantage of those opportunities to add to Indiana’s balanced attack.
"We wanted to focus on attacking the paint and getting Lilly some good looks," Moren said. "She delivered when we needed her most, and that balance really helped."
Balanced offense and exceptional ball movement
Indiana also shot a sizzling 53% from the field and its ball movement was on full display. IU had a total of 25 assists on 32 made field goals.
The Hoosiers showed they can share the ball, keep turnovers down and punish a Big Ten team for their every misstep.
Chloe Moore-McNeil also played a pivotal role, not just with her scoring but in her orchestrating the offense with eight assists. She proved again Saturday that she is a steady leader for the Hoosiers with her growth helping with IU’s success this season.
"When we share the ball and play unselfish basketball, it’s tough to stop us," Meister said. "Our focus has been on execution and getting everyone involved, and we showed that today."
Sydney Parrish’s impact after injury
Indiana’s bench also was able to get in on the action, while Parrish returned from injury. Parrish was solid, notching a double-digit performance with 13 points and attacking the rim with confidence.
"It’s great to have Syd back on the floor, Moren said. “She’s an incredibly high-IQ player, and her maturity and leadership are invaluable. Even when she wasn’t playing, she stayed incredibly engaged, being vocal and helping her teammates in practice and from the bench. You could see that leadership today."
Making a statement in Big Ten play
For the Hoosiers, this win was not just about getting a win — it was about making a statement. Even without Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana proved it can have a solid defense, a balanced offense and show that its overall play has taken a step forward.
“We’ll keep building and repping it every day in practice," Moren said. “We know the road ahead is tough, but we’re ready for it."
Indiana is now 2-0 in Big Ten play and 8-3 overall, showing they’re not just contenders — they’re a team to watch. With a 31-point victory Saturday, the Hoosiers have made it clear that they’re ready for whatever the Big Ten throws their way.
Looking ahead: A tough test against top-ranked UCLA
Indiana will face a tough challenge when they take on No. 1 UCLA on Jan. 4 at Assembly Hall. The Bruins are 12-0 this season, allowing the fifth-fewest points per game nationally (50.7) and beating their opponents by an average of 32.1 points per game.
