HoosierIllustrated Live Blog: FINAL – UConn 77, Indiana basketball 57

Indiana basketball gets back on the floor today with their first road trip of the season as the Hoosiers head to New York to play in the historic Madison Square Garden for the Empire Classic to face the No. 5 ranked team and defending National Champions, the UConn Huskies.

The Huskies enter the contest with a 3-0 record after lopsided victories over Northern Arizona (95-52), Stonehill (107-67), and Mississippi Valley (87-53). UConn is led by sixth-year head coach Dan Hurley.

Tip off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Below is the full live blog

Pregame Notes

Indiana Injury Report:

QUESTIONABLE – Xavier Johnson

OUT – Jakai Newton

Mike Woodson confirms that Xavier Johnson is playing vs UConn, per the pregame radio show.

Indiana starters:

G – Xavier Johnson

G – Trey Galloway

F – Mackenzie Mgbako

F – Malik Reneau

C – Kel’el Ware

First Half

Indiana wins the tip and we are off. Malik Reneau would get called for a travel.

Xavier Johnson called for the foul on the defensive end. Officials may have missed a foul on Clingan when contesting Ware’s shot. Clingan goes 1-2.

Not good for Indiana as Xavier Johnson is called for his second foul. Gabe Cupps come in.

Kel’el Ware knocks down the three. 3-1 Indiana.

Ware would get fouled. Called on Clingan. Ware would go 1-2.

Under-16 Media Timeout: UConn 6, Indiana basketball 4

Indiana has to play with the same energy every game, not just when they feel threatened

Little sloppy but that’s just nerves

— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) November 19, 2023

Indiana forces a turnover out of the break. Reneau would score.

1st foul on Mackenzie Mgbako. Had the defensive rebound but lost it.

Strong drive for Trey Galloway for 2-pts.

First foul on Ware. Sparks is in.

Turnover on Mgbako. Mike Woodson sends Kaleb Banks in for him.

Sparks would get called for the foul on the UConn three point attempt. Indiana on a. 2:00 scoring drought.

Anthony Walkers checks in for Reneau.

Moving screen called on UConn’s Johnson. Media timeout.

Under-12 Media Timeout: UConn 12, Indiana basketball 8

Ware back in for Sparks. Ware would hit a three to end the scoring drought.

Three fouls on Xavier Johnson. He’s done for the half.

UConn called for the travel leads to Reneau having a strong wing drive for 2.

Under-8 Media Timeout: UConn 22, Indiana basketball 15

Clingan would go 1-2 at the lien out of the break.

CJ Gunn would over help and it would lead to a UConn three. 26-15 UConn.

CJ Gunn would get fouled and go 2-2 at the line.

Reneau would score and bring the lead down 26-19.

Foul called on Trey Galloway. Clingan at the line out of the break.

Under-4 Media Timeout: UConn 28, Indiana basketball 21.

Clingan would go 2-2 at the line.

UConn would extend the lead to 33-21.

Reneau would get fouled twice then eventually get to the line. Would go 2-2 there.

Trey Galloway with a steal would we lead to Mgbako to get fouled on the drive attempt. Timeout UConn.

Mgbako would go 2-2 at the line.

Reneau would get called for his 1st foul with 23 seconds left. Timeout Mike Woodson.

Reneau would make a post move and score plus draw the foul. He would convert.

At the half: UConn 37, Indiana basketball 30. 

– 9 off rebounds + 11 2nd chance pts for UConn
– Malik Reneau w 15 pts on 6-of-7 / rest of IU has 15 pts on 4-of-20
– Critical first few min for Xavier Johnson in 2nd half with 3 fouls
– Ware's energy making it touch on Clingan
– Big minutes from CJ Gunn

Half: UConn 37, #iubb 30 pic.twitter.com/GoNwbOEwEA

— Alec Lasley (@allasley) November 19, 2023

The fact that Indiana played 18 minutes without Xavier Johnson and are only down 7 is telling of the fight of this team. Yes, the inexperience has led to sloppiness, but they are competing. #iubb

— Kyler Staley (@kylerstaley) November 19, 2023

Second Half

Xavier Johnson starts the second half. Ware picks up a foul early in the second half.

UConn score first out of the half. Reneau would turn the ball over which would lead to a UConn score.

Timeout Mike Woodson. Hoosiers down 41-30.

Ware would miss a there out of the break. UConn three. Galloway scores on next possession.

Reenau would score and convert the And1.

Xavier Johnson would steal the ball and get fouled in transition. He would hit both. Indiana on a 7-0 run.

Fouled called on Sparks.

Under-16 Media Timeout: UConn 44, Indiana basketball 37. 

UConn would extend the lead to 48-39.

Ware and CJ Gunn back in for Mgbako and Sparks.

Indiana would have back-to-back turnovers. Leads to UConn scores.

Ware would get fouled. Would go 2-2 at the line. 50-41.

Indiana would have a great defensive spurt but would turn it over and lead to Reneau picking up his fourth foul. He hits the bench.

UConn extends the lead to 54-43 at the under-12 media timeout. 

CJ Gunn would go 1-2 at the line out of the break.

Xavier Johnson picks up his 4th foul. Gabe Cupps in.

CJ Gunn would miss an inbound baseline jumper and then would pick up a foul on the other end.

Hoosiers looking really worn out at the point with both Reneau and Johnson on the bench.

Reenau checks back in at 8:45 mark.

Trey Galloway would nail a three to bring it down to 10.

5th foul on Reneau. He is out of the game with 7:04 remaining. Brutal. Brutal. Brutal.

Under-8 Media Timeout: UConn 58, Indiana basketball 48. 

Indiana 1 of their last 7.

Clingan would go 1-2 at the line out of the break.

UConn extends the lead to 62-48. Hoosiers running out of gas now.

UConn extends the lead 68-48.

Timeout Mike Woodson at the 4:34 mark.

Under-4 Media Timeout: UConn 70, Indiana basketball 50. 

Starters all out of the game with 2:44 left.

Final: UConn 77, Indiana basketball 57

Hoosiers play either Louisville or Texas tomorrow.

Final Box Score + Expanded Stats:

SEE ALSO: Indiana Basketball Game Preview: UConn – key storylines, injury report, how to watch

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