Indiana Basketball takes down South Carolina 87-71 to improve to 3-0 on the season

After a week off Indiana basketball returned to action as they took down South Carolina 87-71 to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Columbia, S.C. native Myles Rice led the way against his hometown university. Rice finished the game with 23 points while shooting 7-10 and3-4 from three. He also added four rebounds and three assists in the win.

It was by far Rice’s most complete performance of the early season as ball pressure on defense forced South Carolina into some difficult spots.

Once again Mackenzie Mgbako played a big role on the offensive end for Indiana basketball. Mgbako got off to a hot start scoring 12 points in the first half. He finished the game with 17 points and seven rebounds.

Kanaan Carlyle also had his most productive game as a Hoosier. Carlyle in addition to his defensive prowess, Carlyle scored 12 points on 5-9 from the field and 2-5 from three. One of those threes came on an alley-oop pass that found its way into the basket.

Caryle also received a double-technical in the game after getting into with Jamarii Thomas.

The trio of Rice, Mgbako, and Carlyle led the way from three for Indiana basketball. As a team, the Hoosiers shot 47% (8-17) from three with the trio making six of those threes.

On the day Indiana shot 51% (26-51) from the field and 82% (27-33) from the free throw line.

While it was not his best game on the offensive end, Oumar Ballo was a force defensively. Ballo finished the game with 13 rebounds, six blocks, and a steal. The six blocks tied a career-high for Ballo.

On the other end of the court, he had 7 points while shooting 1-2 from the field, and 5-9 from the free throw line.

Indiana’s other big Malik Reneau also added 13 points while shooting 4-10 from the field and 1-2 from three.

Once again Trey Galloway contributed in a big way off the bench. Despite a minute restriction Galloway finished the game with 11 points and two assists for Indiana basketball.

Indiana’s defense came up huge in the win. They held South Carolina to 38% from the field and 28% from three.

South Carolina’s leading scorer Collin Murray-Boyles who was averaging 21.0 points and 10.7 rebounds coming into the game finished with just two points and six rebounds, before fouling out.

Morris Ugusuk led the way for South Carolina, scoring 18 points off the bench while hitting 4-6 threes.

Indiana basketball forced 11 turnovers in the game and scored 17 points off of those turnovers as they led for the final 36:36 of the game.

After the strong performance, Indiana basketball will be back in action on Thursday night when they face UNC Greensboro in their last game ahead of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.

SEE ALSO: Hoosier Illustrated Live Blog: Final – Indiana basketball 87, South Carolina 71

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.