The Indiana men’s basketball team secured a 70-58 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday evening, thanks to outstanding performances from sophomore centre Kel’el Ware and senior guard Trey Galloway. The game took place at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
The game began with Indiana embarking on an 8-0 run, highlighted by a powerful dunk from 7-foot centre Kel’el Ware. Ware played a pivotal role in propelling the Hoosiers’ performance on both ends of the court, contributing 12 points and eight rebounds in the first half.
However, turnovers allowed Minnesota to gain momentum, leading to the Hoosiers’ senior backcourt pair of Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway committing a total of seven turnovers in the first period. This enabled the Gophers to take a 23-18 lead with just under eight minutes remaining in the half.
Nevertheless, Indiana managed to outscore Minnesota 12-2 in the final 7:27 of the period, entering halftime with a 30-25 lead. This strong performance occurred despite the absence of sophomore forward Malik Reneau, who spent most of the half on the bench due to foul trouble.
While the Hoosiers struggled with their three-point shooting in the first half, they managed to find success from beyond the arc in the second half. Freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako made significant contributions, sinking three consecutive three-pointers, which helped secure Indiana’s lead.
Kel’el Ware delivered an exceptional performance, finishing the game with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Trey Galloway added 13 points and logged 11 assists. Meanwhile, Mgbako contributed 15 points, aiding Indiana in securing its third consecutive victory. With this win, the Hoosiers improved to a 17-13 overall record and a 9-10 conference play record.
Looking ahead, Indiana is scheduled to host Michigan State in its regular season finale. The game is set for Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. (CST) and will be televised on CBS.
For further updates on Indiana men’s basketball, follow reporters Will Foley (@foles24) and Matt Press (@MattPress23), as well as columnist Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick).
In conclusion, the Hoosiers’ impressive victory over Minnesota showcased their strength and determination as they head into the latter part of the season.