As the final buzzer sounded at Assembly Hall on Sunday, Indiana walked off the floor having delivered arguably one of their most complete performances of the season. While the Hoosiers put together an all-team effort in their 76-60 win over Nebraska, one player's leadership and composure stood out: senior guard Chloe Moore-McNeil.
Moore-McNeil showed a steady presence in Indiana’s backcourt, and a little bit of everything to help the Hoosiers control the game from start to finish. She finished with 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting, including a sharp 4-for-5 performance from beyond the arc.
Moore-McNeil also played a major role in limiting Nebraska’s perimeter threats and kept Indiana composed during crucial moments — something that has been a focal point for the team after previous late-game struggles.
"I would say, for the most part, this was one of our most complete games," Moore-McNeil said. "We were locked in on both ends, and we really focused on limiting their 3-point shooting."
Defensive impact
Moore-McNeil’s defensive efforts were key to Indiana’s ability to slow down the Cornhuskers offense. Nebraska entered the match as one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the Big Ten, but Indiana’s perimeter defense that was led by Moore-McNeil forced them into difficult looks all night.
The Cornhuskers managed just 3-for-11 from beyond the arc (27.3%), a testament to the Hoosiers' ability to contest shots and close out effectively.
While Lily Meister battled in the post to slow down Nebraska center Alexis Markowski — who was held to just eight points and three rebounds (about half of her usual production) — Moore-McNeil played a key part in disrupting Nebraska’s ball movement that led Indiana to limiting their clean passing lanes and forcing tough possessions.
"We knew we had to push (Markowski’s) catches out further," head coach Teri Moren said. "They’re a great shooting team, so we couldn’t afford to give them easy looks. I thought we executed that well."
Indiana’s defensive effort also led to transition opportunities, as the Hoosiers forced 17 Nebraska turnovers and converted them into 15 points. Moore-McNeil was an instrumental part of that, reading the Cornhuskers’ offense and helping Indiana rack up 10 steals as a team.
Offensive efficiency and late-game confidence
On the offensive end, Moore-McNeil’s ability to control the Hoosiers’ tempo allowed Indiana to execute to a high level. The Hoosier finished with 25 assists on 29 made field goals. This shows a clear sign of their ball movement and chemistry.
Her leadership was particularly evident in the fourth quarter, where Indiana has struggled this season. Senior guard Sydney Parrish and Moore-McNeil stepped up as captains to tell their team to finish the job against Nebraska.
"Something that stuck out to me in the fourth quarter was our captain Sydney, reminding us to be mature with the ball and learn from past mistakes," Moore-McNeil said. "I think we really did that today."
With Moore-McNeil running the offense, Indiana shot 46% from the field and an impressive 43.3% from the three (13-for-30). She helped spread the floors and create quality looks for her teammates, including Yarden Garzon who led all scorers with 19 points on 5-for-9 shooting from deep. Parrish added 11 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
Steady leadership moving forward
As a senior captain, Moore-McNeil has embraced her leadership role that ensures Indiana is staying focused and disciplined throughout their gauntlet of a Big Ten season. While other members of the team may fill the box score with numbers, Moore-McNeil's ability to facilitate, defend and bring stability to the team is what continues to drive the Hoosiers to success on the court.
With a strong performance in the books and a step in the right direction in their conference season, Indiana shifts its focus to Rutgers on Thursday. And with Moore-McNeil’s steady presence gilding the way, the Hoosiers now have the foundation to continue their season with confidence and success.
