Indiana basketball remains undefeated with a 69-61 win against Incarnate Word; however, it wasn’t a pretty victory.
Additionally, the shots looked different from those in their previous games this season as well. Read more for three takeaways on the game and to see which individual player helped secure the victory for the Hoosiers.
Takeaway #1: Incarnate Word’s 2nd half kept the game close
Incarnate Word put up an intense fight against the Hoosiers. Even with a 16-point deficit at halftime, the Cardinals locked in for the 2nd half, outscoring IU 42-34. Down by 19 with 12:47 to go, Incarnate Word brought that margin down to 5 points in the game’s final 14 seconds. They also topped Indiana from downtown with 8 3-pointers compared to IU’s 5. Interestingly, both teams made 23 shots from the field; however, their lack of opportunities from the free-throw line compared to Indiana’s plentiful amount ultimately led to the Cardinal’s loss.
Something is to be said about IW and their team in the second half. Especially during the final stretch of the game, the Cardinals answered nearly every Indiana shot. Things really got intense with 1:21 to go when IW made a 3-pointer that Indiana couldn’t respond to, resulting in a Cardinal field goal to follow it up.
Takeaway #2: Indiana’s 3-point offense couldn’t get anything to fall
Indiana basketball has averaged 99.7 points during the first three games of the season; however, today, the points weren’t flying for the new team. Totaling 69 points, the Hoosiers finished shooting 43% from the field, going 23-53. They made 18 of their 26 points from the stripe and scored 10 points off turnovers.
The story of the game, however, came from downtown, or did it? Indiana struggled from three-point range, shooting 21% and making only 5 of 24. The Hoosiers recorded 10 triples during game 1 vs. Alabama A&M, 14 the following game against Marquette, and another 14 in the last match vs. Milwaukee. During game 4, that number outside the arc decreased significantly.
Indiana basketball hasn’t had three-point success like this for years. The first three games of the season showed promise that this team could be the one to change the narrative for Indiana Basketball; however, they also have to stay consistent in this area to do so.
The Hoosiers still found a way to win the game, despite their shots not falling.
Takeaway #3: Alexis and Sisley come up big from the bench
Senior forward Sam Alexis took control of this game. Alexis came off the bench and scored 16 points, leading the team. He had a strong and dominant presence on the court that not only frustrated the Cardinals’ defense but also energized the crowd.
Back at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall for @CbbReview where #IUMBB is taking on Incarnate Word.
The Hoosiers lead 13-12 with 12 mins left in the 1st. Here’s an early dunk from forward Sam Alexis 🏀 #indianabasketball #indianahoosiers #CBBReview @gracelesher @cbbcsreview pic.twitter.com/wwhoBogHYJ— Grace Jeffer (@gracejeffer) November 16, 2025
“I thought he was one of the guys tonight that brought great energy… he was terrific. I thought he had an excellent night,” coach Darian DeVries said during the postgame presser about Alexis.
Alexis went 5-for-7 from the field and 6-8 from the stripe. He also tied freshman Trent Sisley for rebound leader with 8. His dunks were really what got the crowd going, which is undoubtedly one of the factors that kept Indiana in the game.
His teammates also recognized his performance today,
“Without him, we weren’t winning that game today. Tucker DeVries said. “He was a beast down low.”
Also stepping up off the bench was Sisley. The Indiana native scored 10 points for the Hoosiers, one of only three players to hit double-digits on the night. Sisley also put up two 3-pointers and grabbed eight rebounds. As a young player on this new Indiana Basketball team, his performance tonight proved that he is a valuable asset to the team.
Something else that this game proved was that, although an unconventional win, with help from the bench, the Hoosiers can still find ways to come out on top.
Indiana basketball is back in action on Thursday, Nov. 20th at 6 p.m. as they host Lindenwood.